Gone fishing…

John Reed, "Bean", passed from this Earth, Friday May 29, 2020 surrounded by whom he loved most, his wife Michele. His children and grandchildren were also present, but they knew he'd yell at them to "quiet down", "quit making so much noise" or "leave me alone, I'm fine".

Bean was:

A hellion

A trouble maker

A coconspirator little brother

A hero big brother

Did we mention a troublemaker?

He was a soldier who served his country proudly during the Vietnam War

An expert marksman

A lover of muscle cars

A romantic who knew he met his soulmate within weeks of their first date

An outdoorsman

A fisherman, who loved fly-ins and shore lunches

A hard-working husband

He was a proud father who applauded, in his own way, his children's accomplishments great and small

A man that believed providing for his family was his first responsibility

A simple man who hated peas

An avid reader

A grouchy grandpa or a kind papa, depending on the day

He was quick with a joke and made everyone feel loved

Bean loved collecting a variety of things over his lifetime. In his youth, he collected pennies (aka beans) which earned him his nickname. In his twenties and thirties, he collected silver dollars and rare coins. In his forties he collected baseball cards. In his fifties he collected Beanie Babies. In his sixties and seventies, he collected and repaired Singer sewing machines. But his most prized collections are the great friends, inappropriate stories, amazing adventures, and family he's gathered. He loved his home and mini farm. When asked if he minded the long commute to work in Cleveland, he would say "It's worth it to go home to the place I love."

Bean would have wanted his obituary printed on coffee filters or a roll of toilet paper, this way it could serve at least two purposes. He wasn't perfect, but he was ours.

Bean will be lovingly remembered by his wife Michele (Mauer) and children Kellie (Michael Ribnikar), John Jr (Neyha), and RoseMarie. He will also be fondly remembered by his six grandchildren Austin, Michael Jr, Jordan, Christian, Trinity, and Tristan, and by his brothers Richard (Deborah), James (Joyce), and Reginald. Bean was predeceased by his parents William and Anne (Castro) and his brother William Jr (Joann).

Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, June 5, at the Lodi branch of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 8240 Buffham Rd, Lodi, OH 44254 with Father Ed officiating.

Although the service is exempt from the current public gathering limitations, the risk of virus transmission from one person to another still exists. All are asked to wear masks, which will be available, practice social distancing, and adhere to posted signs and spacing limitations.

A Celebration of Bean's life will be held at a later date, at the place he loved most "home", when his family and friends can share stories, hugs, love and tears without reservation (or fear of the Corona Virus).

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted to: Our Lady Help of Christian Catholic Parish, 9608 Norwalk Rd, Litchfield, OH 44253.