Francis Julian Reiner

(1913-2001)

Member #4

Rock River Thresheree Class of 1964

CAMBRIDGE -- Francis Julian Reiner, 88, of Cambridge, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001, at his home.

Francis was born on April 18, 1913, in Madison, the son of Albert and Jessie (Johnson) Reiner.

He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1931, and looked forward to reunions.

As a young man, he worked for the Cottage Grove Farmers Union Cooperative, later going into farming in the Town of Christiana. He did much custom work in the surrounding area.

He married Eva Frazier Humphrey on Dec. 27, 1975, in Cambridge.

During the 1960s, Francis had begun a land improvement business, Rock River Drainage Co., with family members, which continued to present.

He was an active member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America, a national organization that he valued highly. He was presented with the Wisconsin Contractor of the Year Award in 1996 and again in 2000 by his state chapter associates, and was an enthusiastic supporter of LICA and its beneficial principles.

Francis was a charter member of the Rock River Thresheree Association of Edgerton/Janesville and participated each year, including the four-day Labor Day Thresheree in September 2001.

F. J.'s interests were centered around his shop, and he enjoyed using the machinery that improved the land and bettered his environment. He was happiest on a dozer, breathing fresh air and warmed by the sunshine. His weekly reward was a Friday night fish fry with friends.

Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Reiner of Cambridge; three daughters, Joyce (George) Chipain of Elmhurst, Ill., Kathleen (Daniel) O'Connell of Forest Lake, Minn., and Ruth (Charles) Gildersleeve of Stoughton; one stepdaughter, Lynda (Jack) Baldwin of LaValle; and one stepson, John Humphrey of Cambridge.

Also, eight grandchildren, Randall (Judy) Reiner, David Ewert, Sheryl (Vern) Dresser, Laura (Gary) Lamp, Steven (Rosheena) Pulley, Gregory (Shelley) Pulley, Daniel (Traci) O'Connell and Tonja (Richard) Hedemark; four step-grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Larson and Jamie, Ira and Jessi Baldwin; 18 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Alice Quam of London, Phyllis Smith of Cambridge and Helen (Robert) Reed of Sturgeon Bay.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marjorie Reiner of Edgerton; his son, Roger Reiner; his son-in-law, Paul Pulley and his sister, Hazel Nitsch.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Oakland-Cambridge in Cambridge, with the Rev. David Brague officiating. Interment will be in Lake Ripley Cemetery in the Town of Oakland.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at Nitardy Funeral Home in Cambridge and on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

[Source: Daily Jefferson County Union, December 31, 2001]