Reichenbach, Jerome (Jerry) Jr.

Jerome (Jerry) Reichenbach Jr.

Jerry Reichenbach Jr. was born Sept. 14, 1981, in Charleston S.C. He went to be with our Lord Monday morning, August 1, 2011, at the age of 29. Jerry was the son of Jerome (Jerry) Reichenbach and Kimberly (Kim) Barta. He attended school at Prairie Elementary, Middle and High School.

On June 28, 2008, he married Erika Ellingson in Lawrence Kan. They lived in Lawrence, until Erika completed college then moved to Tucson, Ariz., to be closer to Jerry's mother, Kim. Jerry and Erika just recently moved back to Iowa and took up residence in Des Moines.

Jerry was such a beautiful person and kind soul who seemed to brighten every room he walked into. His mother, among many, describes Jerry as being a “Free Spirit.” He would go out of his way to make sure anyone in his presence was smiling and/or laughing before long. Jerry was the first person to jump in and help when anyone needed anything. A great example is after Hurricane Katrina, Jerry and Erika, took time off from their minimum wage jobs, without pay and went to help folks in Biloxi, Miss., who were trying to rebuild.

Jerry enjoyed swimming, being with nature, his motorcycle, playing with their dog Saxon, rollerblading and making people laugh. He was the most inventive mind. His dad always said, ”Give Jerry a bowl of rocks and he will figure out how to make a masterpiece.”

Jerry is survived by his wife, Erika and their dog, Saxon at home; his parents, Jerry Reichenbach Sr. of North Liberty, and Kim Barta of Cedar Rapids; his brother, Tim (TJ) Reichenbach of Portland Ore.; sister, Trisha Reichenbach of Cedar Rapids; his mother and father-in-law, whom he was dearly close to, Peggy and Arley Ellingson of Libertyville; and so many family in Illinois and around the country, too many to name but a few are, Elaine Reichenbach (grandmother) Steven, Jeff and George Reichenbach (uncles), Debbie Jensen and Julie Reichenbach (aunts).

Jerry was close to his cousins, Jimmy Ellis and CharLee Godfrey, to name a few.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jerry D. Reichenbach of Carpentersville Ill., whom Jerry was especially close with; his grandmother, Joan Brezinski of Genoa, Ill.; and his aunt, Debbie Lascio of Carpentersville, Ill.

As per Jerrys' wishes there will be no funeral or church service, cremation has been completed. Jerry expressed many times that he did not want his family and friends to mourn his passing, but to celebrate that we had shared some time on this earth. Therefore, there will be a Celebration of his Life Saturday, August 6, at Best Western Cooper's Mill Banquet Room, 100 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dress is casual, Jerry wanted this to be a fun event, people having a good time and remembering how he made them laugh. There will be refreshments and a cash bar.

Messages and tributes may be mailed in care of Jerry Reichenbach, 437 W. Zeller St., North Liberty, IA 52317; or e-mail skyguard861@yahoo.com.