James “Jim” Frederick Reinhardt, was born on February 28th, 1926 to Walter and Wilhelmina (Grabbe) Reinhardt in Alton, Illinois. A life-long member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ, Jim taught Sunday school, was a youth advisor and was the coach of athletics. At 16, he joined the Alton Municipal Band as the youngest clarinetist to date. He then went on to become the band manager and served in that capacity for 22 years. It was in the band that he met his wife, Martha Reid, who was a soloist with the band. They were married in September of 1952 and celebrated their 66thwedding anniversary on September 21, 2018.
Jim had a mechanical mind and was extremely skilled with his hands, completing extensive model train and airplane projects and even go-karts and treehouses for his children. Similarly, he studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois. Being a proud alumni, he was a huge fan of the U of I sports programs. He went on to work for Grabbe construction company, Laclede Steel and eventually retired from The Boeing Company at the age of 65. He served in the Marines during World War II in the regiment assigned to cover the occupation of Japan. Witnessing the effects of the nuclear bomb was a defining moment in his life.
At church, he was fondly known as “Coach” and his wife known as “Mrs. Coach”. Jim was warm, outgoing and everyone said he never knew a stranger. Jim was thankful for the life he had with his family, and his love for Martha. His family will miss his storytelling and appreciated being close to someone who had so much knowledge and appreciation for family history.
Jim quietly departed this life on September 25th 2018 at the Oxford Grand in McKinney, Texas.
His spirit is deeply remembered by his wife, Martha and three children. A daughter, Reid Stroud, sons Walter (Joan) Reinhardt and Clinton (Laurie) Reinhardt and brother-in-law Robert Reid (G.G.). He leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Adam (Ana) Stroud, Erin Stroud, Zach Reinhardt, Ethan (Ingrid) Reinhardt, Rebecca Reinhardt, Miranda Reinhardt and Jacob Reinhardt as well as four great-grandchildren, Charlee Stroud, Dylan Stroud, Gabriel and Nicole Hentschel.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29th 2018 at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey, Illinois. Pastor Jerry MeCaskey will officiate. Burial will be private with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Evangelical United Church of Christ Radio Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
