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Reid, John E.
The Light in our World, John E. Reid, rose to be with the Lord Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospitals. He was surrounded by family when he breathed his last breath at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sharon United Methodist Church by the Rev. Bob Dagit. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.
John was born Jan. 5, 1938, in Cedar Rapids, to Ralph and Leona Reid. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1956. He married Karen Sievertsen on June 25, 1960. John was a stranger to no one and a helping hand to all. After serving 25 years with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, he continued to protect and serve as a Court Security Officer for the federal courthouse. Later he returned to his true passion, being a “plugger” and worked part-time in maintenance. After the 2008 flood, he volunteered with the Block by Block program earning him the 2009 President's Volunteer Service Award for volunteering over 500 hours helping to restore flood damaged homes. When he wasn't helping others, he was helping his family. He took an active role in church choir, the Living Last Supper at Easter and the Living Christmas tree at Christmas. There will be one less bright light in this year's tree.
John loved fishing with his special friend, Andy, was an avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan, and loved traveling with his wife, Karen. He was an Army veteran, member of the Cedar Rapids police Association and Iowa State Police Association Local #5.
John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen; children, Shelly (Gary) Erger and Barb (Matt) Teply, all of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Gary (Mary) Reid of Cedar Rapids; his mother-in-law, Evelyn Taylor of Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law, Roberta Reid of Cedar Rapids and Mary Reid of Marion; brothers-in-law, Allen (Pam) Siervetsen of Walla Walla, Wash. and Larry (Arleen) Sievertsen of Crystal Lake, Ill.; granddaughters, Lexi Erger and Jordyn Erger, both of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David; brothers, Robert, Richard and David; and father-in-law, Mike Taylor.
Memorials may be made to Sharon United Methodist Church or the Hospice House of Mercy.
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Published in The Gazette Oct. 16, 2012.
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