Obituaries

January 18, 1964 to February 28, 2014

MILFORD, ILL. - Former Pulaski County Extension Educator Michael John Reetz, 50, of Milford, Ill., passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, at Kindred Hospital in Peoria.

He was born Jan. 18, 1964 in Watseka, Ill., the son of Harold Frank Reetz Sr. and Evelyn E. Russell Reetz. He married Vicky Pruitt on Sept. 24, 1988 in Paxton, Ill., and she survives.

Also surviving are one brother, Harold (Chris) Reetz Jr. of Monticello, Ill.; one sister, Cheryl (Jim) Hasting of Hoopeston; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerald and Janet Pruitt of Paxton; one brother-in-law, David Pruitt of Loda; eleven nieces and nephews; four aunts and one uncle; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Reetz enjoyed flower arranging, collecting John Deere memorabilia, and loved researching his family history. He was a past 4-H Leader for Milford Sugar Creek Twisters 4-H Club. During his career, he worked as a 4-H Extension Assistant in Benton and Iroquois counties in Illinois. He then was a Resource Conservationist in Piatt County. After that, he served as an Extension Educator in Pulaski and Starke counties in Indiana. Most recent, he was a substitute teacher in Champaign, Ford, Vermilion, and Iroquois counties. He attended Bryce-Ash Grove Grade School and was a 1982 graduate of Milford High School. He then attended Danville Area Community College where he received his associate's degree and later attended the University of Illinois where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford, as well as one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday (March 5), at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. Pastor Russell Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Amity Cemetery in Goodwine.

Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or donor’s choice.