Reginald Irwin Mennerick, 89 of Granite City, IL., born December 16, 1934, in Denison, Iowa, passed away on February 13, 2024 at Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center in Lebanon, IL.
Reginald was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who cherished taking care of his family.
Reginald graduated from Wood River High School, Wood River, IL.
Reginald was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, IL, and part of the Marriage Encounter Family and Koinonia Fellowship. He also served as lector for parish Masses and later as a church youth group leader.
Reginald was a career Produce Buyer. He began his career in the grocery industry with Tri City Grocery Company in Granite City, IL and later worked for Martin & Bayley, Carmi, IL and then as a Senior Produce Buyer for Fleming in Sikeston, MO.
Reginald served in the United States Navy Reserves from 1953 to 1961. He specialized in electronics and Morse code telecommunications.
Reginald had a passion for working with youth and served as the local Scout Master for Troop 35. He also served as a leader for the Cahokia Mound Council and Boy Scout Camp Sunnen. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, and was honored with the St. George Award from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Reginald once organized an area wide contingent of local Boy Scouts and traveled with them to Philmont Scout Ranch for a week of backpacking in the mountains of New Mexico.
Reginald loved camping in Missouri State Parks in his earlier days and continued his love of trout fishing as long as he could.
Reginald cherished the precious time he could spend with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Reginald was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Mennerick of 63 years, whom he married February 12, 1955, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Alton, IL.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Frieda nee Riessen, Mennerick; brothers John (Mildred O’Berry) Mennerick and Donald Kunze, sisters Unabelle (Art) Buller, Lavera (Gerald) Davis, brothers-in-law, William O’Brien, James (Shirley) O’Brien, Edward J. O’Brien Sr. and sister-in-law Catherine Gibson.
Surviving are his three children,
Regina (Prem) Hinduja of Tracy, CA, Michael (Cheryl) Mennerick of O’Fallon, IL, and Rita (Woody) Halbrook of Granite City, IL; six grandchildren, Deacon Michael (Suzanne) Halbrook, Sara (Michael) Ahlvers, Sean (Ashley) Halbrook, Greg (Ashley) Mennerick, Jennifer Mennerick, and Doug (Sarah) Mennerick;
Thirteen great-grandchildren, Thomas, Matthew, Joseph, and Andrew Halbrook, Mira and Evelynn Ahlvers and Hunter Halbrook,
Madison, Mallory, Molly, James Mennerick, Colin and Alice Mennerick,
brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul (Toni) O’Brien, and brothers Charles (Linda) Mennerick, Rev. Dr. James (Ruth) Mennerick and Dr. Lewis (Mehrangiz) Mennerick; cousins; nieces and nephews; friends; and his beloved dog, Buddy.
Memorials may be made for Masses to St. Elizabeth Church Granite City, IL, Holy Family Church Granite City, IL or St. Clare Church, O’Fallon, IL.
Visitation: Friends and family may visit from 10 am to 11 am Friday, February 16th, at St Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 16th at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, IL with Father Alfred Tumwesigye officiating, with interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Edwardsville, IL.
THOMAS SAKSA FUNERAL HOME, Granite City, IL
