Herman E. Reuer, 89, of Michigan City, IN, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, Michigan City.
He was born Dec. 31, 1920, in Magdeburg, Germany, to Herman and Anna (Koehler) Reuer. Herman immigrated to the United States with his family in May of 1923.
Herman graduated from Isaac C. Elston High School in 1939. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He worked at Pullman Standard, Dunham Bush, and Marquiss Electric. He was a life member of American Legion Post 37, VFW post 2536, Loyal Order of the Moose 980, and Saint John’s United Church of Christ. He loved to work in his garden, tinker with machinery and spend time with his family. He was an avid reader and a lifetime learner. He mentored many apprentice electricians.
On Jan. 26, 1946, in Grand Rapids, MI, he married Thelma Lackey, who preceded him in death Sept. 25, 2007.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ernest and Gerhard Reuer, sister Erna Reuer, grandson David Geiger, and great-grandson Tyler Geiger.
He is survived by his children, Barbara (John) Geiger of Monticello, IN, Susan (Glenn) Gergely of Wilkinson, IN, and Patricia (James) Hennessey of LaPorte; his grandchildren, John (Jenifer) Geiger of Saint John, IN, Nicholas (Jenny) of Richland, WA, Ryan (Jenni) Gergely of Terre Haute, IN, Jason Gergely of Indianapolis, Bryce Gergely of Wilkinson, IN, Sara (Geoff) Talbot of Michigan City, Katherine Hennessey of LaPorte, and Rachael Hennessey of LaPorte; great-grandchildren Luke Finley Geiger, Allison Elise Geiger, Kira Marie Walker, and Lela Elizabeth Gergely; sister-in-law Theresa Lackey; cousin Martha Koehler; Robert Ebert and many other nieces and nephews.
Services will be Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at Carlisle Funeral Home, Michigan City. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. until the service. Full military honor guard services will be conducted at Greenwood Cemetery, Michigan City, following the service.
A trust fund is being established in Herman’s name for the children and grandchildren of members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 531. Memorial contributions may be sent to IBEW Local 531, 2751 N. State Rd. 39, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at carlislefh.com.
