Obituaries

June 11, 1924 to April 13, 2016

WINAMAC - Valentine F. “Junior” Reinhold Jr., 91, a lifelong resident of the Monterey area, passed away at 10 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. 

He was born June 11, 1924 in Monterey to the late Valentine and Mabel Bitterling Reinhold Sr. He married his high school sweetheart Esther Mack on Sept. 23, 1944, at the Methodist parsonage, Winamac. They celebrated their 71st anniversary in 2015. She survives.

Also surviving are children, Christine (Richard) Earp of Rochester and Valentine "Fred" (Elaine) Reinhold of Monterey; his grandchildren, Ronald (Kelly) Reinhold, Jacob (Amy) Koepkey, Ross (Nicole) Earp, Allison (Randy Kopka) Earp, Brian (Susan) Hessong, and Scott (Sydny) Hessong; his great-grandchildren, Austin (Ali) Reinhold, Scottlynne Reinhold, Reilly Reinhold, Logan Koepkey, Griffin Koepkey, Madelyn Koepkey, Sawyer Koepkey, Maci Earp, Maddison Earp, Darian Reinhold, Michael Demonja, Anthony Demonja, Herbert Hessong, Kenneth Hessong, Amelia Hessong, Stephanie Hessong, Shaynah Hessong, and Rhonda Reinhold; and siblings, Judith Ann (Howard) Carlisle of Argos; Lowell Reinhold of Winamac; Hubert Reinhold of Goshen; Byron (Nancy) Reinhold of South Bend; and David (Vivian) Reinhold of Kewanna; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Reinhold; his grandson, Robert Reinhold; and sisters, Kathryn Corbett and Elsie Tuley. 

Mr. Reinhold graduated from Monterey High School in 1942. He was a member of the Monterey United Methodist Church. He also belonged to the American Milk Producers, Inc. He was a longtime farmer, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. He loved his land and often spoke of days spent farming with horses. He also had a dairy herd for many years and did custom farm work for area farmers. He was also a bus driver for Monterey schools and for Culver schools for 39 years. He looked forward to the Christmas holiday when he would give treats to his riders. For years he was responsible for  transporting the government school food for all schools in Pulaski County.

Mr. Reinhold and his wife were never far from each other. They were even together at his death, side by side. They were so appreciative of each other, never missing each other's birthday or anniversary without a gift for each other. He was Esther's best friend. He enjoyed gardening, camping, cutting wood, and spending time on the beach in Florida. He also enjoyed watching TV, especially college basketball. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, April 18, at Monterey United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., at the church. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be given to Monterey United Methodist Church, Alzheimer's Association or ALS Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.