Obituaries

Donald G. Reif, 86, of Saginaw, went to be with the Lord, Monday morning, August 19, 2019 at Wellsprings Lutheran Services in Frankenmuth. He was born August 29, 1932 in Saginaw, son of the late Herman M. and Arletta L. (Kischnick) Reif. Don was a 1950 graduate of Saginaw High School and received an Agriculture Degree from Michigan State University. He served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On August 7, 1982, he married Joan Lee Hayes in Saginaw. She predeceased him April 28, 2018. Mr. Reif farmed in Blumfield Township all of his life. He and his wife wintered in Estero, Florida for many years. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese, where he served as an Elder. He also served on the Blumfield-Reese Water Authority for many years, and served on board of the Michigan Crop Improvement Association.

Surviving are his children and their spouses: Steve and Sally Reif, Gary and Patricia Reif, all of Saginaw; Jeanie Reif, of Shields; step-children: David Demers of Phoenix, AZ, Tim and Lusi Demers of Davis Junction, IL, Lori and Jonathan Gilliland of West Lafayette, IN, Lynda and Frank Malott of Jenison; seven grandchildren; thirteen step-grandchildren; and many great grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Ruth Taylor of Essexville and the mother of his children, Gay Knotts of Saginaw. In addition to his parents and wife, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Herman Reif Jr. and his brother-in-law, David Taylor.


Funeral Services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2019 from Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. Reverend Daniel Burhop and Vicar Jess Heimer will both officiate with private family committal services to take place later Friday afternoon in the Oakwood Mausoleum in Saginaw. Full Military Honors will be presented by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Reese American Legion Post #139 after the service at church. Mr. Reif’s family will receive friends at Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw Street in Reese on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Trinity Lutheran Church.

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