John M. Reed

John M. Reed, 89, Windfall, died at 10:00 p.m. Monday, October 27, 2008 at Tipton Hospital.  He was born April 22, 1919 in Frankfort to Fred & Trella Grace (Meeks) Reed.  On July 10, 1947 he married Lela Stout and she survives.

He worked as a furnace operator at Continental Steel in Kokomo, retiring in 1981.  John was a member of the Windfall Church of the Brethren. He was a member of the NRA, Tipton American Legion, Kokomo Veterans of Foreign Wars and Order of the Purple Heart.

He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and fought in Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France, the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle for the Rhine.  He made two D-Day landings with the 3rd Infantry Division.  John received 3 purple hearts, a bronze star, 2 arrowheads and 7 campaign stars.  He received a commendation from the French Consulate and also from General Patton.

Survivors besides his wife Lela include one daughter, Pam Stout, Tipton; one son, Fred B. Reed, Kokomo; one sister, Vanzie Baldwin, Kokomo; nine grandchildren, John Wayne Stout, Amanda Powell, Renee Sharp, Terrie Dilley, Fredrick Reed, Jr., Jeffrey Jumper, Sharon Coakley, Mindy Carter, Anthony Winters; 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, John M. Reed, Jr., one daughter, Hannah D. Winters; two sisters, Francis Chasteen and Rosetta Wallace; three brothers, Roland Reed, Buck Reed and Jim Reed.

His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Coffin and Rev. Arley Mitcham presiding.  Burial will follow in Sharpsville Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 3:00-5:00 and 6:00-8:00 Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tipton American Legion, 129 N. Independence Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.