Richard Reising

Richard K. Reising cleared his last hurdle on Saturday (09-15-2012) at home. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, Decatur, IL, at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday (09-19-2012) conducted by The Rev. Richard A. Swan of St. John's Episcopal Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday (09-18-2012) at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Private burial services at Greenwood Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Heart & Lung Center of Decatur Memorial Hospital or Donor's choice. Mr. Reising was born June 29, 1919, to Joseph Alfred Reising and Valerie Kerber Reising. He graduated from West Aurora High School and the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. He was President of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity; a Varsity High Hurdler (coached by Leo Johnson, formerly at Millikin); co-chairman of the Senior Ball; President of the Varsity Athletic Council, and a recipient of the Honorary Society Award in all four academic years. In 1942, Mr. Reising married Virginia Lee Powers, daughter of Jack H. and Helen K. Powers in the First Presbyterian Church of Decatur. Ginger passed away in 2002. They were blessed with four sons: Richard Powers (married to Elizabeth Sandburg) of Decatur, IL., John Howard (married to Katherine Scott) Milwaukee, WI, Lance Marshall (married to Juliet Mabry) Marietta, GA, and Stephen Lee (married to Robyn Thayer) of Decatur, IL. Ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren have since followed. In recent years, Dickie spent many memorable moments with his very special companion Mrs. Genevieve Whitney. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois and until 1946, he was employed as a critical skills engineer at a large Chicago manufacturing plant which produced aircraft components for the WWII effort. In 1946 he moved his family to Decatur and until 1956 was associated with Mr. Powers in the management of Hotel Orlando. After the hotel was leased to the Van Orman chain, he spent the next 25 years employed at Wagner Casting Co. of Decatur. He was instrumental in the marketing effort which made Wagner one of the prime suppliers of malleable and ductile iron castings to the auto industry. He retired in 1983 as Vice President of Marketing. Mr. Reising served as a Director of the Millikin National Bank, Chairman of the Oglesby Mansion, Chairman of the Industrial Division of The United Way, President of the Board of Directors of the Country Club of Decatur for two years and Secretary of that Board for 25 years thereafter. After retirement he bought a small farm near Bearsdale and for a time raised registered Polled Shorthorn cattle. Following that venture, he created a sizeable Christmas tree farm called Greentree Farm, which is still in operation. He spent many leisure hours on the farm, working the land and enjoying the outdoors. Dickie was an avid duck hunter, a founder of the Pigeon Lake Duck Club in Chandlerville, Illinois. He and his friends spent many good times there. He was also a skeet shooter, golfer, and serious sports enthusiast. His family extends its sincere appreciation for his care to the staff and physicians at Decatur Memorial Hospital. "
}