Obituary for Mel E. Reichling
Mel E. Reichling, age 68, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, with his wife by his side, following an extended illness.
Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., with memorial services to follow at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Father Richard Fox will officiate. Music will be furnished by soloist, Lezlie Burns and the Immaculate Conception Funeral Choir.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Mel at the 2nd Street Station immediately following his service.
Honorary urn bearers will be all who were lucky enough to fish with Mel.
Mel E. Reichling was born to Elmer and Doris (Roehs) Reichling on August 4, 1953 in Watertown, SD. He attended school in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School in 1971. He married Ruby "Snookie" Deutsch on September 26, 1981 in Watertown where they made their home. Mel worked on power lines which brought the two of them to Alaska for one year. He then was a salesman for Doug's Anchor Marine.
Mel was an avid outdoors man. Hunting, trapping, fishing. Then came the many fishing tournaments with a couple of special friends, Rick Small and Gordy West, (whose wives would also let them fish). Many tournaments were won while fishing with either one of these guys. In 1996 Mel and Rick were the Master Walleye World Champs.
He also enjoyed going to the Class of 71 Hunt every year, when he got together with classmates out at the river to hunt and spend time telling stories. Family and friends were always important and fun to be with, along with a couple of furry friends, Oreo & Lucky.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Ruby of Watertown, SD; his brother, Jerry (Terri) Reichling of Des Moines, IA; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Reichling of Texas, and Connie (Wayne) Miller of Watertown, SD; and his many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Doris; and his brother Jerome Reichling.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.
Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., with memorial services to follow at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Father Richard Fox will officiate. Music will be furnished by soloist, Lezlie Burns and the Immaculate Conception Funeral Choir.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Mel at the 2nd Street Station immediately following his service.
Honorary urn bearers will be all who were lucky enough to fish with Mel.
Mel E. Reichling was born to Elmer and Doris (Roehs) Reichling on August 4, 1953 in Watertown, SD. He attended school in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School in 1971. He married Ruby "Snookie" Deutsch on September 26, 1981 in Watertown where they made their home. Mel worked on power lines which brought the two of them to Alaska for one year. He then was a salesman for Doug's Anchor Marine.
Mel was an avid outdoors man. Hunting, trapping, fishing. Then came the many fishing tournaments with a couple of special friends, Rick Small and Gordy West, (whose wives would also let them fish). Many tournaments were won while fishing with either one of these guys. In 1996 Mel and Rick were the Master Walleye World Champs.
He also enjoyed going to the Class of 71 Hunt every year, when he got together with classmates out at the river to hunt and spend time telling stories. Family and friends were always important and fun to be with, along with a couple of furry friends, Oreo & Lucky.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Ruby of Watertown, SD; his brother, Jerry (Terri) Reichling of Des Moines, IA; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Reichling of Texas, and Connie (Wayne) Miller of Watertown, SD; and his many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Doris; and his brother Jerome Reichling.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.