The Life of John Acre Reeder
Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Lafayette Memorial Park in Lafayette for Colonel John Acree Reeder, USMC (Ret.), 88, who passed away on Thursday April 16, 2009 at about 0115 CDT at South Park Hospital in Lafayette from complications of throat cancer.Reverend Monsignor Charles Mallet will conduct the graveside services.Survivors include his two children, Debbie Dupuis and her husband Jimmy and Mike Craig and his wife Ellie and daughter-in-law, Barbara Lawler; grandchildren, Jessica Walker, Mikie Craig, Torie Craig, Hannah Craig, Craig Dupuis and Jason Craig; step grandchildren, Jimmy Dupuis, Patrick Dupuis and Sgt. Michael Dupuis and their families; Dorian Brammer; and his devoted and caring friend Ronnie Domingue.He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Ann Craig Reeder; son, William Stephen Craig; parents Mr. and Mrs. Harry Reeder; and his brother, Col. James H. Reeder.Colonel John Acree Reeder, USMC (Ret.) was born on January 28, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Joseph Harry and Bernice Acree Reeder. He grew up in Montezuma, IN with his brother, James Hanlin Reeder, who incidentally also retired as a Colonel of Marines (Infantry). In 1940, before the United States’ participation in World War II, he was recruited to serve as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He earned his Royal Canadian Air Force commission as an “Officer in our Active Air Force of our Dominion of Canada” on July 30, 1941, rank of Pilot Officer, conferred by King George, VI. In 1942, he separated from the RCAF and he reported to Quantico, Virginia for Marine Officer Candidate School. The U.S. Marines appointed him as First Lieutenant of Marines on May 29, 1942. He was promoted to Colonel on August 1, 1960. The U. S. Naval Service, of which the U.S. Marines are a Department, cited John with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two Gold Stars for successive awards. The awards were for distinguished combat air service during World War II. He also was awarded the Korean Service Medal with four stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Presidential Unit Citation with Cluster, a second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts at the Chosin Reservoir, the Commendation Ribbon with Combat V (for Valor), the Presidential Unit Citation and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.He later joined Ford Motor Company in October of 1946, where he retired after thirty years as a fleet manager.Special thanks to the following people for their kindness extended to him during his illness: Dr. Maximo LaMarche, Dr. Federico Del Toro and Dr. Perri Prellop. Also thanks to Dianna Stagg and Joy Cangelosi and to his sitter, Brenda Richard, for their help and kindness. Thanks to his nurse and buddy, John Williams. His daughter Debbie would like to thank her husband, Jimmy, for his love and support he gave to her and “Col.”.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Colonel John Acree Reeder, USMC (Ret.) to Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. Martin & Castille-Lafayette, 234-2311
