Reece, Bernard H. 1935-2009

REECE, LONG, SEXTON

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/18/2009 at 10:58:28

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, March 18, 2009

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Pastor Bernard H. Reece, 93, of Bellevue, Neb., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, March 15, 2009 in Omaha, Neb., following a brief illness.

Bernard was born Jan.31, 1916, in Coggon, Iowa, the son of Curtis and Neva Long Reece. He married Opal M. Sexton on June 15, 1935 in Cedar Rapids. She died Oct. 23, 2003.

He was a pastor at First Assembly of God in Cedar Rapids from 1987 to 2008. He also served churches in Le Mars, Creston, Keokuk, and Carroll.

He was an avid Chicago Cubs Fan.

Survivors include five children, Naomi Norton and husband Don of Omaha, Neb., Irene Cramer and husband George of Cedar Rapids, Linda Hayes of East Moline, Ill., William Reece and wife Marilyn of Omaha, Neb., and Daniel Reece and wife Debbie of Keokuk; two sisters Wilma Gilchrist of Center Point, and Phyllis Chramosta of Cedar Rapids, 16 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Esther Marie Reece; wife Opal; and grandson Shane Hayes.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in First Assembly of God Church in Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Larry Sohn and the Rev. Rick Gail will officiate. Burial in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, and after 10 a.m. Friday at the church.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.