Everett W. Reeder

Everett W. Reeder, age 85, of Olathe, Kansas, formerly of Osawatomie, Kansas, died July 28, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Olathe. Everett was born March 28, 1928 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the older of two children born to James W. and Evelyn L. (Goodwin) Reeder. Everett attended school in Louisburg. He served his country with the United States Navy. Everett had an initial enlistment from 1946 until 1947 and was recalled in 1951. He sailed aboard the U.S.S. Navasota to Yokohama, Japan serving during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged August 16, 1952. Everett was united in marriage to Emma Elizabeth Spears on June 3, 1950 in Paola, Kansas. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of four children. Everett worked as an electrician. From 1948 to 1957, he worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad in the diesel shop. Bendix was his next place of employment from 1957 until 1973. It was in January of 1973 that he went to work for Kansas City Power and Light at the LaCygne Power Plant. Delco Battery, a subsidiary of General Motors, was his place of employment from the Fall of 1978 until the Fall of 1981 which was when he went to work for the Fairfax Automotive Plant of General Motors. He retired in May of 1990. Everett kept himself very busy working, keeping up with his family, and was also very involved in his community. He was a member of the Masonic Osage Valley Lodge #24 AF & AM where he served as District Deputy Grand Master for Kansas in 1993. He was Junior Vice Commander in 1970, Senior Vice Commander in 1971 and Post Commander in 1972 and 1973 for VFW Hanlin-Kelly Post #2258. He was a Boy Scout Master of Troop 106 from 1964 to 1974. His church membership was with the First Baptist Church in Osawatomie where he was a Sunday school teacher for the high school grades. He played the role of Santa Clause for the City of Osawatomie for many years. And he had also volunteered with the Christmas in October program for the City of Osawatomie. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Emma of the home; four children and their spouses Douglas and Catherine Reeder of rural Osawatomie, Mark and Lynn Reeder of Katy, Texas, Debra and Terry Harrison of Olathe, Kansas, and Emily and Steve Murphy of Derby, Kansas; his sister Harriett Bodine of Branson, Missouri; 7 grandchildren; 4 step grandsons; 12 great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. Contributions in memory of Everett can be made to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home or First Baptist Church and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 605 O"Neal Ave., P. O. Box 280, Osawatomie, KS, 66064. First Baptist Church, 8th & Brown, Osawatomie, KS 66064 Service: Thursday, August 01, 2013 at 11:00 AM Visitation: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM