Paul E. Reafsnider

Paul E. Reafsnider, 88, of Bellevue, died Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 17 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in the Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna, Illinois. Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #273. Visitation for Paul will be held from 3:00 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue and again Monday morning after 9:30 at the funeral Home. A Scripture Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home. Paul was born June 21, 1922 in Lyons, Iowa, the son of Lester and Josephine (Cawely) Reafsnider. He married Elsie Charnick on November18, 1961. She passed away April 18, 1983. He married Donna Weyhgandt on June 8, 1985. She passed away February 23, 1990. Paul married Carolyn Ernst on January 18, 1991. She passed away July 15, 2009. Paul served in the United States Army during WWII. His distinguished service included D-Day on Utah Beach. He earned four overseas service bars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. After his military service, Paul had a long career at the Savanna Army Depot. A recent highlight for Paul was his trip to Washington DC with Dubuques first WWII Honor Flight. Paul was a devoted husband, giving father and loving grandpa. He took great pride in being a grandpa and enjoyed spending time with each of them. Paul took pleasure in many hobbies. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, hunting, reading and crossword puzzles. He was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were the Cubs, Bears and Hawkeyes. Those left to honor his memory include his two step sons, Brian (Ellen) Ernst, of Dubuque, and Ted (Kim) Ernst, of Waddell, Arizona; five step daughters, Judy (Brad) Herman, of Waukon, Iowa, Nancy (Gary) Barry, of Marion, Denise (Ron) Reeg, of Bellevue, Beth (Tom) Bylund, Eldridge and Theresa (Paul) Pittman, of Overland Park, Kansas; 16 step grandchildren, Eleisha and Bryce Reeg, Tyler Bylund, Jason and Jeremy Yeager, Stephanie and Kristina Ernst, Deanndra Stoecken, Angela, Kristyna and Justyn Herman, Chris and Kyle Barry, Andrew and Mark Myers and Brooke Peck; three great grandchildren Naida, Henry, and Penelope Peck; two brothers, David (Donna) Reafsnider and William Reafsnider, and special friend, Jan Sieverding. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Bonnie Myers; two grandchildren, Shawn Ernst and Deana Stoecken; and two sisters, Elizabeth Stuit and Mary Berthel. A special thank you from Pauls family to the following; Bellevue Medical Associates Clinic, Dr. Whalen, Bellevue Ambulance, Hospice of Jackson County and Mill Valley Care Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com