Horace Luddington REGER

REGER, COLLINS, WEIGEL, LUDDINGTON, MCKAY, HANGER, FREELAND

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/2/2009 at 15:34:12

The Mount Ayr Record-News , 1927

DEATH of H. L. REGER.

After an illness of less than a week's duration, H. L. REGER, who for thirty-five years has been employed as clerk in Mount Ayr stores, passed away Tuesday evening, June 5, at five o'clock. Death was due to infirmities of age. Mr. REGER was taken ill in his room over A. F. COLLINS' restaurant last Thursday. It was his custom to take his meals at the restaurant and when he did not come for breakfast Mr. COLLINS went to his room and found him very weak. Dr. Samuel BAILEY was called and examination revealed the fact that it was only a question of a short time until the death summons would come. Relatives were notified. His niece, Mrs. Ira CUNNINGHAM, and husband motored from Des Moines, arriving Friday, his nephew, Charles REGER, of Burlington, came from Iowa City, where he had been visiting his mother, Mrs. Mary REGER, his nephew, F. A. REGER, of Davis City, who had also been visiting at the home of his mother, motored to his home and came yesterday evening to Mount Ayr. Other relatives, including his daughter, Mrs. Beulah WEIGEL of Omaha, will arrive tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

Horace Luddington REGER, or "Doc" REGER as he was familiarly known, was born at Wheeling, West Va., November 5, 1848, the son of Rev. Alfred and Frances (LUDDINGTON) REGER. When he was a small boy his parents moved to Carthage, Ill., where his father established the First Methodist church. Here he attended the public schools and when a young man came to Mount Ayr and entered the employ of the firm of Wendel & Reger, his brother, W. A. REGER being a member of the firm. He later went to Laramie, Wyo., and in that city was united in marriage with Tilda McKAY. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Beulah WEIGEL of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Katie HANGER of Alburquerque, N.M. In 1888, Mr. REGER returned to Mount Ayr where he spent the balance of his life, first being employed by the firm of Huggins & Saville, and in late years by M. E. FREELAND.

In recent years friends have noted a gradual decline in his health, but he as ever young in spirit. he employed up to the time of his death - as he expressed it, to "die inthe harness" - and this wish was gratified. The end came peacefully like the passing into a deep sleep. Mr. REGER was a man of quiet and unassuming disposition; honesty characterized his dealings; he was ever faithful in the discharge of duty and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances.

The funeral will be held tomorrow (Thursday) forenoon at ten o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Jay KIRKENDALL. The stores will be closed during the hour of the funeral, from 10 to 11 o'clock.

Transcription Sharon R. Becker, 2008