Robert Reese

Robert Reese, 88, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012.

He was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Woodstock to William E. and Clara K. (Stolp) Reese. 

He was a lifelong Woodstock resident and 1944 graduate of Woodstock High School. 

During his senior year he was drafted.

He served in the U.S. Navy after completing his basic training at Great Lakes. He was a 3rd Class Petty Officer and a signalman on the troop transport ship USS Lenawee PA 195. He traveled to ports in the Pacific such as San Diego, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Pearl Harbor and  the Hawaiian Islands. He was present in Tokyo Bay Sept. 2, 1945, the day of the official surrender of the Japanese Empire and the close of World War ll.

He was employed in the maintenance department at Woodstock Die Casting and retired in 1988 after 26 years.

On May 8, 1965,  he married Norma (Davis) Porter in Woodstock. 

They enjoyed traveling to different parts of the United States. 

His hobbies included raising various animals such as homing pigeons, rabbits, sheep, ducks, geese and bantam chickens. He enjoyed learning about new people, places and things and listening to music. He was a member of the Woodstock VFW Post 5040, the American Legion and the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock.

While his grandchildren were growing up, he attended their athletic and Scouting activities as well as their band and choral concerts. He taught them to play pinochle, shoot the bow and arrow and various games. He was especially fond of his great-grandchildren. 

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Gail (David) Wolf; two grandsons, Scott (Jennifer) Wolf and Terry Wolf; a granddaughter, Mindy (Andrew) Thompson;  three great-grandchildren, Trevor Wolf, Karianne Parra-Wolf and Brooklyn Thompson; and a great-grandson due in November; a brother, William E. Reese; a nephew, William E. (Aimee) Reese Jr.; two great-nieces; one great-nephew; one great-great nephew; and several cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Oct. 11, 2003;  a sister,  Beverly ”June” Ratzloff; and a step-son, R. Leigh Porter.

Services were private. Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.

Memorials can be sent to First United Methodist Church, 201 W. South St., Woodstock, IL 60098.