Daniel Joseph Reed

Daniel Joseph Reed Msgt (retired) USAF, passed away April 10, 2024 after a long battle with vascular dementia. Born November 5, 1935 in Avonmore, PA to Veronica Lambing and Ralph T Reed, he lived his young life in and around Apollo PA and Girard OH. When he was 7, his father passed away in an accident which impacted his family greatly. Along with his best friend, Jim Mohney, he joined the United States Army 1954-1956 and served 2 years as a tank mechanic. When he left, he found it difficult to maintain employment and chose to enter the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for an additional 20 years. During the beginning of this time, he was stationed in France as a teletype and cryptography specialist. On an evening out with fellow airmen in Luxembourg, he met his wife of 62 years, Petie. During their courtship, he was sent to the Congo on a special duty assignment to assist a priest as a chaplain’s assistant, which allowed him to serve God and his country. He and Petie had 2 children, Ann and Patrick. As his career moved on, he was stationed at numerous AFB, stateside and overseas.  He served as a communication specialist in Vietnam in 1969-1970. In 1971, he settled his family in Stow, Ohio and served as a recruiter until his retirement in 1976. He earned many honors and accolades during his service to include the Bronze Star Medal for heroic and meritorious service in a combat setting.

After retirement, he continued with recruiting as a Certified Personnel Consultant and started his own company, Reed and Associates in Akron, OH. While in Stow, he was a member of VFW post 4738 and past commander and chaplain for the American Legion post 175. He was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He enjoyed bowling, golf and fishing at Mogadore reservoir with his friends and family. In 1987, he took his wife and moved to Pittsburgh, PA and started another career with his sister and brother-in-law’s trucking company, Paul Riggle and Sons, and P&B transportation until his final retirement in 2009. He maintained his memberships with Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion in Plum, PA. He was a member of Our Lady of Joy where he volunteered. He made many friends and enjoyed golf, nature hikes, and his grandchildren who called him “Bopi”. He also enjoyed gardening with his sister, Bonnie Ann.  

After his final retirement, they moved to Hilliard, OH in 2012 to be closer to their grandchildren. He took special joy in participating in all of their activities in school. He was a member of St Brendan the Navigator Catholic church in Hilliard. He enjoyed golfing with his son, Patrick and his son-in-law, Randy. He walked 3 miles a day and frequently visited the local parks and preserves where he would say the rosary and reflect during his hikes. He loved working in the yard and planting flowers and vegetables. He was the caregiver to his wife and took pride in his home. Later on, in 2019, it became obvious that he was suffering from more than normal aging memory loss. He was diagnosed with vascular dementia and his family watched this brilliant man decline. In 2022, He and his wife moved to Dublin Retirement Village and Assisted Living. He was in memory support when he succumbed to this disease. The family would like to extend special thanks to the entire staff at Dublin Retirement Memory Support, the VA and Zusman Hospice for the compassionate care they gave to him, as well as his wife, Petie.

Predeceased by Mother: Veronica (Blair)Lambing, Father: Ralph T Reed, son: Michael T Reed (1975). Brothers: Robert (Delores “Dee”) Reed, James Reed, Harley “Gene” (Helene “Leny”) Reed, John (Shirley) Reed, Carl (Helen) Reed. Sisters: Shirley (Eugene) Horner, Bonnie Ann (Paul) Riggle. Mother and Father-in-law: Theophile (Marguerite) Bach.
 

He is survived by his wife: Pierrette C Reed (nee Bach).  His daughter: Ann (Randy) Mayfield. Son: Patrick (Michele) Reed. Grandchildren: Kylie Ann Mayfield.  Mackenna Reed (Tyler) Harman, Aidan Mayfield. Brother-in-law: Bernard Bach of Luxembourg. Many loving nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends 1pm-4pm Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026 with a prayer service at 3:30pm. Mass of Christian burial will be held 12pm Monday, April 22, 2024 at ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Private family inurnment with military honors at The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman, OH. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1379 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43215 or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.