Reins, Marion Wesley 1915-2007

REINS, REAM, CULVER

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/20/2008 at 16:42:54

Marion Wesley Reins was born on Dec. 29, 1915, to Henry Leon Reins and Blanche E. Ream. He lived most of his life in Knoxville. After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1934, Marion toured the East Coast and Southeastern United States playing tenor saxophone and clarinet in various big bands, including the Jack Wardlaw Orchestra. He once played for the Rockettes in New York City.

Marion was inducted into the US Army Air Force in June 1941. He served as an Administrative Specialist, Technical Sergeant stateside in the 4th Army Signal Corps and the 46th Fighter Squadron, Iwo Jima South Field. He was Honorably Discharged on Dec. 23, 1945.

On Feb. 2, 1946, Marion married Eslie Culver of Greenfield. Eslie was an Army nurse. They returned to Knoxville and raised two sons, Wesley and Keith.

Marion worked as an accountant for the Veterans' Administration until his retirement in 1976. He also continued to play music locally in a dance band with his two sons. Marion's many hobbies included gardening, coin collecting and photography. In their retirement, Marion and Eslie were well known as antique doll collectors. Marion was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Knoxville. He was also a member for over 50 years of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. and A.M., Lodge No. 61 in Knoxville.

Marion Wesley Reins passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, at the age of 91.

Eslie preceded Marion in death, April 2006. He is survived by two sons and their wives, Wesley and Margie Reins of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Keith Reins and Lorie Reins-Schweer of Iowa City; and three grandchildren, George, Geoffrey and Kari.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Memorial in memory of Reins may be made to Hospice of Iowa City.

The Knoxville Journal Express, December 10, 2007