A Service of Remembrance was held January 18 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home for Gary Russell Reed, 69, of Jefferson.
The Rev Sheldon Henderson, pastor of Central Christian Church in Jefferson, offered words of comfort. Honorary bearers were Kara Reed, Kelly Reed, Britnee Gamble, Jessie Arms, Kaitlynn Stofer, Gillian Stofer, Kelsey Reed, Brody Bigart, Brayden Biggart, Bailey Biggart, Madison Reed, Brianne Hurley, Justin Reed, Taylor Arms Charlite Stofer, Dale Ganoe and Trent Ganoe.
Casket bearers were Robert Arms, Kolin Reed, Kolton Reed, Logan Reed, Shaun Reed, Jimmy Dykes, Jon Biggart and Levi Looney.
Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
Gary Russell Reed, son of Florence Winans Reed and Vern “Buck” Reed, was born May 1, 1948, in Pittsville, IL. He died January 13, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 69 years.
Gary grew up in Hull, IL, and graduated from West Pike High School in 1966. In 1967, Gary was united in marriage to Polly Price. They were the parents of two children, Shaun and Angie. On Dec. 15, 1978, Gary was united in marriage to Sherry Cassens. They combined their families with Sherry’s daughter Jodi, and later had three children of their own, Stacey, John and Amber.
Gary and Sherry lived in Richmond, IL, then Dexter, KS before moving to Jefferson, where they have lived the last 30 years. Gary worked for Juhl Feed in Dana.
Gary was always a family man and spent his life making sure his family was provided for. He enjoyed attending his kids’ sporting and special events, and later loved attending his grandchildren’s events.
Gary loved racing. He would spend every weekend he could at the Boone Speedway and was even able to make it to a couple of NASCAR races. In his earlier years he was a top contender in the NTPA along with his tractor, Orange Machine. He was a member of the NRA and also a huge Cardinals fan.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, and his nephew Aaron Reed. He is survived by his wife Sherry Reed of Jefferson; his children Shaun (Shelly) Reed, Jodi (Dale) Ganoe, Stacey (Jon) Biggart and John Reed, all of Jefferson, Angie Arms of Boone, and Amber Reed of Grinnell; his brothers Verne Lee (Linda) Reed of Barry, IL, and Mike (Michele) Reed of Quincy, IL; 18 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; other relatives, and friends.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
