Ernest 'Purdy' Reitz 1895-1979

REITZ, JAMES, GIBSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 4/10/2020 at 06:22:46

15 March 1979 - The Midland Times

Ernest "Purdy" Reitz, 83, died March 9 at Maquoketa.

Services were held Monday, March 12 at the United Methodist Church in Wyoming. Burial was in the Wyoming Cemetery with Rev. Loren Simpson officiating. Flag presentation was made by the Wyoming American Legion Post #259. Pallbearers were Clifford Dirks, Donald Buchholtz, Melvin Petersen, John H. Petersen, Vernon Eganhouse, and Clayton Snyder.

Reitz was born in Jones County on April 7, 1895, the son of Philip and Bessie Van Slyke Reitz. After graduating from Wyoming High School he served in the Army during World War I, serving in Germany and France.

On October 23, 1926 he married Hazel James at Marengo, Iowa. The couple lived their entire married lives in Wyoming where he served as postmaster for 27 years. In 1961 he retired.

For many years he served as chairman of the Wyoming Christmas lights, chairman of the Wyoming Fair Association fish fry and on the board of the Wyoming Horse Show Association.

Surviving him are his wife, Hazel, one daughter, Mrs. Sally Gibson of Marion, Iowa, and two grandsons.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters.