Paul F. Reichenbach died in his home on July 3, 2014.
He was born Jan. 26, 1928, in Pandora to the late Hiram and Edna (Zimmerman) Reichenbach. On July 25, 1948, he married M. Jean (Burkholder) Reichenbach, who survives in Bluffton.
He was a 1945 graduate of Bluffton High School and served in the United States Army. He worked in the lumber business for many years beginning at Steinman Brothers Lumber, then at Tuttle Lumber and finally as owner of Reichenbach Lumber in Bluffton. In retirement Paul worked in real estate for a time.
He was an avid collector of antique John Deere tractors, wrenches and implements, making friends from all over the country. He sang in barbershop quartets and his church choir for many years. Paul and Jean enjoyed traveling, including trips to visit missionaries in France and India. Paul and Jean celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last July.
He was a member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church where he had served as a Trustee and Chairman of the Building Committee. He was also a long time member of Gideons International. Paul served on the Bluffton Hospital Board and was past president of Northwest Ohio Buckeye Two Cylinder Club.
In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by a daughter-in-law, Barbara Reichenbach of Santa Clarita, Calif.; daughter Karlyn (Bob) Holt of Bluffton; son Dean (Jennifer) Reichenbach of Columbus, Ind.; and daughter Ann (Don) Leader of Bluffton.
He is also survived by grandchildren Lorianne Bruessel and Mary Beth (Jon) Carrino of California; Sarah (Jared) Lehman of Bluffton; Dr. Rachel (Dr. Andrew) Terlecky of Beavercreek, Ohio; Andrew Paul (Andrea) Reichenbach of Texas; Peter Reichenbach of California; and Eli (Laura) Leader of New Jersey.
He is also survived by seven great grandchildren: Devin Lloyd and Logan Ryan Bruessel, Cody Nathaniel and Timothy Rex Carrino, Jacob Lee and Eli Benjamin Lehman and Katherine Rose Reichenbach. Other survivors include a sister Marcele (Paul Eugene) Kohli, brother-in-law Donald (Dorothy) Burkholder, and sisters-in-law Joan Dailey and Mildred Burkholder.
He was preceded in death by a son, Rex Reichenbach; brothers, Roger and Verl Reichenbach; sister, Esther Reichenbach; brothers-in-law, David Burkholder and James Dailey; and sister-in-law, Leona Reichenbach.
A memorial service for Paul will be Thursday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church with Rev. Charles Warren, Rev. Jim King and Rev. Dick Potter officiating. Burial will be in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery prior to the funeral. Friends may call at Ebenezer Mennonite Church in Bluffton from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 117, Continental, Ohio 45831; Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove Road, Bluffton, OH 45817; or Findlay Area Youth for Christ, P.O. Box 514, Findlay, OH 45839.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
