Clarence Reed

Clarence W Reed, 88, of Louisiana passed away Saturday, October 13. He grew up on a farm outside St. Clair, MO, and was the son of Jess M and Cornelia Reed. He had 2 brothers and 3 sisters and is survived by sisters Helen Ely and Emma Carey, both of St. Clair. Mr. Reed met his future wife, Sandra Gail Bruch, while serving veterans affairs in Louisiana and they were married in 1951. They were married 55 years until her death in 2006 and had two children, Patrick Reed of Charlottesville, VA, and Ellen Reed of St. Louis. Both survive. In addition, Mr. Reed was the proud grandparent of 10 grandchildren: Jennifer Schiffhauer and husband Lael of Tulsa; Karen Snyder and husband Doug of Troy, Virginia; Morgan Hultman of Zion Crossroads, VA; Heather Bingler and husband Chad of Ruckersville, VA; Galen Reed of Zion Crossroads, VA; Jessica Woodward of Columbia, MO; Josh Woodward and wife Michelle of O’fallon, MO; Jacob Woodward, Fairview Heights, IL; Caleb Woodward of Quincy, IL; and Molly Chapman and husband Mike of Granite City, IL. Mr. Reed was preceded in death by great granddaughter Madison Elizabeth Schiffhauer of Conroe, TX. Surviving great grandchildren include Kaelyn Schiffhauer, Barrett and Max Snyder, Joseph Hultman, Makayla Bingler, and Gabbi and Ally Woodward. Mr. Reed was one of the original members of the 101st Airborne, 506th PIR and saw action in France, Belgium, including Bastogne, and Germany. The 506th PIR was the regiment that spawned the popular book and television series "Band of Brothers". Mr. Reed joined Pike County Country Club and the local chapter of the Elks in 1951, memberships he maintained for the next 61 years. In the early 1960's he was instrumental in transforming PCCC from sand greens to it's current bent grass greens and planting hundreds of trees that are now in full maturity. Also in 1951, along with partners Francis Murphy and Duck Jordan of J&M Super Markets, Reed founded Drug Rack company serving grocery stores in Missouri and Illinois. In 1966 Mr. Reed bought out his partners and changed the company name to D-G Rack Co, Inc. Later Reed was a top salesman for over 20 years with the Geo. Weyer Co of Kansas City. Mr. Reed was a loving husband and father with many friends in the community and helped many behind the scenes. Visitation for Mr. Reed will begin at noon on Thursday, October 18, followed by the funeral at 2 pm, both to be held at Collier’s Funeral Home, 117 Bernard Dr., Louisiana, MO. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in rural Louisiana. Memorials can be made to the Elks Trimble House or to the Elks Scholarship Fund, Elks Lodge 791, 120 N 5th St Louisiana, MO 63353-1620.

Clarence Reed

December 12, 1923 - October 13, 2012