M. Jean Reichenbach, 93, passed away peacefully at 11:33 p.m. on August 12, 2024 at Bluffton Hospital. Jean was born December 25, 1930 in Bluffton to the late Hiram and Martha (Augsburger) Burkholder. She married Paul F. Reichenbach on July 25, 1948 and he passed away on July 3, 2014.
Jean was a 1948 graduate of Bluffton High School. Along with her husband, Paul, Jean was co-owner of Reichenbach Lumber for 20 years. In retirement she enjoyed working at Deer Creek Antiques and as Volunteer Director at Bluffton Community Hospital. She continued her volunteer service to Bluffton Hospital for many years. Jean was a founding member of Reaching Women and Mothers Night Out Club. She also enjoyed serving at her church, Ebenezer Mennonite Church, particularly in the music ministry. Paul and Jean enjoyed traveling, including trips to France and India to visit missionaries. Paul and Jean’s favorite vacation spot was at their home on Apple Mountain, North Carolina, and they shared this home with many visitors. Jean was happiest when she was outside working in her flowers.
Jean is survived by a daughter-in-law, Barbara Reichenbach of Buckeye, Arizona; daughter, Karlyn (Bob) Holt of Bluffton; son, Dean (Jennifer) Reichenbach of Smithville, Tennessee; and daughter, Ann (Don) Leader of Bluffton. She is survived by six grandchildren: Lorianne Bruessel of Buckeye, Arizona, Mary Beth (Jon) Carrino of Palmdale, California, Dr. Sarah (Jared) Lehman of Bluffton; Dr. Rachel (Dr. Andrew) Terlecky of Granville, Ohio; Lt. Dr. Peter Reichenbach of Portsmouth, Virginia; and Elias (Laura) Leader of New Providence, New Jersey. Jean is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Devin and Logan Bruessel, Cody and Timothy Carrino, Jacob and Eli Lehman, Paul Terlecky, Katherine Reichenbach, and Ella and Ryan Leader.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by a son, Rex Reichenbach; a grandson, Andrew Paul Reichenbach; a sister and brother-in-law Joan and Jim Dailey; brothers and sisters-in-law Donald and Dorothy Burkholder and David and Mildred Burkholder, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Verl (Leona) Reichenbach, Esther Reichenbach, Marcele (Eugene) Kohli, and Roger Reichenbach.
A memorial service for Jean will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Road, Bluffton. Pastors David Glick and Dick Potter officiating. A private burial will be in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery prior to the service. Visitation will be Friday, August, 16, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 117, Continental, Ohio. 45831; Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove Road, Bluffton Ohio, 45817; Youth for Christ of Northwest Ohio, P. O. Box 514, Findlay, Ohio, 45840 or Maple Crest, 700 Maple Crest Ct., Bluffton, OH. 45817.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton is honored to be providing services to Jean's family.
