David R. Reed's Obituary
David R. Reed passed away at home early Saturday morning, February 7, 2015. David was born April 6, 1936 in St. John, Kansas to Jesse T. & Alma (Gailey) Reed. They moved to High Prairie Community, then to Fredonia, where David graduated from Fredonia High School in 1954.
On December 24, 1955, David married Betty Hall at the Church of the Brethren in Fredonia. They had three children, Debra Shinkle & husband Bobby, Jeffrey Reed & wife Julie, all of Fredonia, and Jon Reed, of Osage City, Kansas. They have 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren: Jaran & Rachael Shinkle (Maisy), Jorlan & Kate Shinkle (Piper & Hadley), Jenessa & Matt Kleopfer (Kamden & Kennedy), all of Fredonia, and Justan & Shelby Shinkle (Joslyn & Finnigan) of Wichita; Jessica Reed (Logan) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jenna Reed, Jade Reed, and Jared Reed of Fredonia; Savanna Smith (Tristan) of Topeka, and Sabrina Reed and Stetson Reed of Topeka. He is also survived by five brothers: Joe, Jack & Wanda, Don & Debby, Ron & Sherry, and Jess Jr. & Karen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bob.
Following high school David traveled the harvest then enlisted in the Army in August, 1954. He received an honorable discharge due to an injury, in January, 1955. He then went to work in the Fredonia Engineering Division of the Kansas Department of Transportation and transferred to the Altoona Maintenance Department after the Fredonia Division closed. He retired in 1996 after 35 years with KDOT. David graduated from Missouri Auction School in 1966 and started auctioneering shortly thereafter. David and Betty operated Reed Auction Service from the early 1970s through 2009.
David was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Old Iron Club. David was active with the Wilson County Fair Association and 4-H Clubs, where he helped auctioneer the 4-H Livestock Sale for 40 years. David had a passion for the outdoors, farming, and cattle, but his greatest love was for his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather ("Papa Dave").
David will be cremated and memorial services will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, with family visitation Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Suggested memorials can be made to Wilson County Fair Association, Wilson County Old Iron Club, Wilson County 4-H Council, or other local charity, and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online Condolences can be made at: www.countrysidefh.com. The cry of the auctioneer has ended, but his chant will ever be remembered.
Services entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 420 S. 20th St., P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736
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