ReederGeorge Sheridan Reeder, 88, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Fort Madison, IA died peacefully at 4:20 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, AZ, two weeks after the diagnosis of an aggressive cancer.
Born October 9, 1929, in Fort Madison, he was the son of Carl B. and Margaret Sheridan Reeder. On June 27, 1954, he married Erma Jean Stout in Mediapolis, IA.
Mr. Reeder served in the US Army from 1951 to 1954. He worked at the Fort Madison Post Office for over 41 years, the last 32 years as a Rural Letter Carrier on RR1. He served as State Steward of the Iowa Rural Letter Carriers Association for 16 years and was active in the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. He was a longtime active member of the American Legion Post 82 and a member of the VFW Post 1805 in Fort Madison. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Madison and served on many committees. He was a member of the Great River SAMS Camping Club. He enjoyed camping, bowling, playing cards, Mexican Train, and traveled to all 50 states. Through the last years of his life he was legally blind, continued golfing and was a member of the US Blind Golfer’s Association. Up to his last month he continued a daily routine of walking a mile and swimming each morning.
The Reeder family hosted foreign exchange students, Alexandre Balmer of Switzerland in 1976, and Pedro Yessi of Chile in 1982. They also cared for foster children for several years.
He is survived his wife, two daughters, Kim Stoudenmire of Southern Pines, NC; Krista (Ward) Robak of Spokane, WA; and one son, Kirk Reeder (Sharon Hall) of Ankeny, IA; daughter-in-law, Lisa Reeder of Des Moines, IA; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Reeder, Jillian Reeder, Sheridan Robak, Aidan Robak, Joah Robak, Stephanie Stoudenmire, and Matthew Stoudenmire; three sisters, Carlene Cullen of Ellisville, MO, Karon (Pete) Huggler, and Sharon (Harry) Pendergraft of Columbia, MO; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, William (Bud) Edward Reeder; two sisters, Betty Dorene Starks, Mary Louise Reager, and one son, Kevin Thomas Reeder.
A memorial service was held at Bella Vista Senior Living in Mesa, AZ on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
A memorial service in Fort Madison, IA will be scheduled at a later date and include military honors at Soldier’s Circle in Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison. Updates to the service will be on Legacy.com.
To those who might want to contribute to an organization George benefited from during his life, please contact the US Blind Golfers Association (usblindgolf.com).
