Elmer M. Reedy

Hello,

My time with you here ended Saturday, December 1, with family by my side at Good Samaritan Village where I had become a resident recently, but I hope I'm in your thoughts and prayers always until we meet again with our savior Jesus Christ in heaven.

I was born in Rantoul, Illinois on July 7, 1927.  Ran away from home at 14 because I wasn't going to be allowed to play football and worked after school cleaning up a store to earn rent money. I joined the navy and the Japanese got word of it and surrendered before I shipped out. On the advice of my brother Jim, I enrolled at the University of Illinois but would later transfer to Illinois State where I'd earn my teaching degree as well as meet the love of my life, Catherine Jean Rapier. We met in a bar after a Redbird victory and would eventually marry on June 14, 1952. My first teaching and coaching assignments were in Manlius, Illinois but I'd soon move my wife and newborn daughter Cindy to Geneseo.  I started out teaching 5th grade at Northside elementary and went on to teach physical education at the junior high school where I also served as athletic director. I would retire from teaching and as athletic director but continued my true passion of coaching.

Through the years, Kitty and I would add five more to our family: Jim now in Dublin, CA, Bob in Monmouth, Cathy in Dubuque IA, Jerry in Geneseo, and Bill in Bettendorf. Speaking of Kitty, she went ahead of me to heaven on July 13, 2006. My brother Jim also joined my other two brothers Jerome and Albert there in 2017.

Despite being a true White Sox fan, I'd take my kids to Wrigley to see the Cubs. I loved to hunt rabbits and pheasants,   watch the Bears and westerns on TV, and listen to live music.  Two eggs over easy with sausage was my favorite breakfast. I especially loved my family and it really made me smile to see the grandkids and great grandkids when we'd celebrate holidays and birthdays, theirs and mine. 

Thank you so much for reading this far and if you wish you can come to my visitation on Friday, December 7, at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory, Geneseo Chapel, from 3 to 7 p.m., where a Moose service will be held at 7, with scripture reading to follow. And a Celebration of Life Mass will be held for me at St. Malachy Catholic Church on Saturday, December 8, at noon with Father Michael Pakula as celebrant.  A private family burial will follow at North Cemetery.

Those left to cherish my memory include my children; Cindy Redding (Gary Mariman), of Geneseo, Jim Reedy, of Dublin, CA, Bob (Beth) Reedy, of Monmouth, IL, Cathy (Ron) Powers, of Dubuque, IA, Jerry (Lynn) Reedy, of Geneseo, and Bill (Sheri) Reedy, of Bettendorf, IA.

Elmer is also survived by 11 grandchildren; Bruce Redding, Metta (Nate) Bauman, Stephen Reedy, Nick (Ynaia) Reedy, Michelle (Patrick Pinney) Reedy, Katie (Luis) Aranda, Ross (Jackie) Reedy, Michelle (Brock Broshius) Arling, Tim (Amanda) Powers, Cheryl (Sean) Paradiso, and Dan (Molly) Powers.

His 24 great-grandchildren are; Noah, Josh, & Emma Bauman, Lorenzo, Cecilia, Camilo, & Lucia Aranda, Hannah, Elijah, & Norah Reedy, Matt, Jake, & Andrew Arling, Brooklyn Broshius, Michael, Nathan, & Anita Powers, Mackenzie, Dylan, and Madelyn Paradiso, and Reed & Cate Powers.

His eight step-grandchildren are; Gary Mariman Jr. (Jason Linze), Brad (Jerri) Mariman, Theresa (Glenn) Mariman, Jodi (Jerry) Rasmussen, Tia (Tim) Mariman, Kenny (Amanda) McBride, Craig (Chasite) McBride, and Angie (Eric) Workheiser.

Elmer has 20 step-great-grandchildren; Ky (Ashley) Mariman, Jade (Jake Rahn) Mariman, Aerial Beckman, Bralynn Beckman, Dayton Mariman, Carlee (Eric) Duytschaver, Austin (Raelynn) Rasmussen, Destiny Rasmussen, Judge (Kara) Mariman, Colin Correll, Skylar Koehler, Jacob McBride, Hunter McBride, Camarie Mueller, Hailey, Erica, Catherine, & Ashton Workheiser.

He also has eight step-great-great-grandchildren; Gage, Remi, & Knox Mariman, Mateo Duarte, Emmy Duytschaver, Alex Mariman, Gabe Koehler, and Axton Workheiser.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Reedy, his wife, Kitty, his in-laws, Catherine and Leland Rapier, brothers: Jerome, Albert, and James Reedy, a granddaughter, Grace Marie, and step-great-granddaughter, Justice.