John H. Reeder, 81, of Union Dale, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, after an illness. He married the love of his life Mary Ann Cable Reeder on September 27, 1969; she passed away on July 26, 2004. Their love was like no other.  John and Mary loved their children and family.  We may not have had much but we were rich in love, work ethic, values, and so many other characteristics.

Born in Carbondale, son of the late Henry and Louise Lyon Reeder, John was a graduate of Forest City Regional High School. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia. John earned the Good Conduct and Rifle Expert medals, and was proud of his time working for “The General”. John was a dedicated employee for over 45 years at Elk Mountain Ski Resort as a Maintenance Mechanic. John knew every detail and aspect of the mountain.  We could share numerous stories of Elk that dad shared with us, but there is one that is permanently engraved in our memory. During the Blizzard of 1993, many skiers and local residents were stranded as roads were not plowed or even passable. John took a groomer from Elk Mountain and plowed Route 374 from Elk to Dunniers Country Store. Elk Mountain was his second family, as he often spent so much time there; if he wasn’t home he was at the mountain. Dad made many lifelong friends from his days at Elk.   John was also a life member of the Costello Monahan Brown American Legion Post # 964 of Pleasant Mount. He is also an Honorary Member of the Union Dale Volunteer Fire Company, where he loved to help the guys out, especially the old timers John Witiak and Tom Yale. These men could share many stories. John had so many friends that to list them all would be impossible.
John had many coffee clubs, which in his healthier days, he would attend multiple times a day.  Freeman Howell's Garage was a place for lots of nonsense regarding anything and everything. John also enjoyed his multiple daily visits to his favorite stop at Dunniers Country Store where Jim and his entire staff treated dad with such kindness and love. We will be forever grateful for how they treated our dad like their own.  John enjoyed sitting outside watching cars go by and waving. He enjoyed his friends and neighbors stopping to chat with him and even offering to take him for a ride. John enjoyed anything mechanical and was renowned for his ability to fix anything and everything, with his motto being; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  He loved his tractors (and all tractors), gas engines, generators, and basically anything with a motor.  He had a collection that he was very proud of, and he could often be found tinkering with his treasures.  
A special thanks goes to Home Healthcare Professionals and Hospice (HHCP), especially our angel Nurse Judy for her kind and compassionate care, and Tristan, Tim and staff. We will be forever grateful for the gentle care of our father.

Surviving are his four children: John H. Reeder, Jr. and his wife Mary; Margaret "Peggy" Ursich and husband Stephen, with whom he resided; Clark Reeder and wife Carrie; Louise Canfield and husband Michael; six grandchildren: Jacob Reeder; Sarah and Emily Gorton; Sebastian, Isaiah,and Nathaniel Canfield; four step grandchildren: Faith and Grace Ursich; Hunter and Austin Johnson; three great grandchildren: Ava, Adalynn, and Waylon Tuttle; twin brother: James Reeder and wife Mary; brother-in-law: Dr. Joseph Cable and wife Vickie; sister-in-law: Winnie Cable; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and extended family members. 

He was also preceded in death by a great grandson: infant Henry James Tuttle; and two brother-in-laws: Dr. John Cable and Clark Cable.

The funeral will be Monday, December 2nd with services at 11 am in the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City.  Interment with military honors, Union Dale Cemetery.  Friends may call Sunday, from 2 to 5 pm.

Donations in John's memory can be made to The Union Dale Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box  191, Union Dale PA 18470