Reid Nannen

HOPEDALE - Major Reid B. Nannen, 32, formerly of Hopedale, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2014, while training at TOPGUN NAS in Fallon, Nev.

He was born Oct. 15, 1981, in Peoria to Dale P. and Mary Ann Hays Nannen. He married Sarah M. Simpson on Aug. 6, 2005, in Peoria.

Surviving are his wife, Sarah of Normal; two sons, Peter Nannen and Curtis Nannen of Normal; two daughters, Betsy Nannen and Isla Nannen of Normal; his parents, Dale and Mary Ann Nannen of Hopedale; two sisters, Bethany Nannen Miller of Quincy and Briana Nannen of Peoria; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Elaine Hays of Alexis; one niece, Madeline Miller of Qunicy; one nephew, A.J. Miller of Quincy; his mother and father-in-law, Dale and Dianne Simpson of Normal; one sister-in-law, Ellyn (Matt) Franke of Bloomington; his grandparents-in-law, Virgil and Jan Handel of Bloomington; and his stepgrandparent-in-law, Shirley Simpson of Wilmington.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, "Pete" and Mabel Nannen of Florida and Curtis and Evelyn Simpson of Wilmington.

Reid attended Olympia High School, graduating in 2000. He was a two-year captain of the swim team, section leader for the drum line, member of Elite Eight baseball teams in 1999 and 2000 and was an Illinois State Scholar. After graduating from Olympia High School, Reid went on to the University of Illinois. While in school, he was a member of the NROTC battalion and participated in the Marching Illini Drum Line NROTC Drill Team.

Reid was commissioned a 2ndLT in May 2004 and attended The Basic School with Delta Company class 4-04. After TBS, Reid attended Naval Aviation Training with MATSG-21 at NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field and NAS Meridian. Reid received his Wings of Gold in February 2007 and was selected to fly F/A-18 Hornets. Reid moved to Lemoore, Calif., for fleet replacement training with VFA-125 in May of 2007. After finishing carrier qualification, Reid reported for duty with MAG-11 at MCAS Miramar. In June 2008, he joined VMFA (AW)-232 and deployed from May to December of 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2 to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. While with the Red Devils, Reid served as NATOPS, Ground Safety, Airframes and Embark Officers. Reid attended Tactical Air Control Party training in May of 2011 and proceeded to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for duty as a forward air controller with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion. Reid again deployed to Afghanistan from October of 2011 to May of 2012 with 1st LAR in support of OEF 12.1 in the lower Helmand River Valley in Afghanistan. Reid supported every company within 1st LAR and conducted the first company level helicopter operations within the battle space. Reid returned to Camp Pendleton and subsequently detached from the battalion for refresher training at VMFAT-101. In August of 2012, he transferred to VMFA (AW)-242, where he served as the assistant operations officer.

His awards and decorations include the NATO Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Air Medal.

He collected and assembled Star Wars Legos and loved the Drum Corps International. Reid had a great love an enthusiasm for military history and ancient civilization.

He attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hopedale.

A private family funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hopedale. Msgr. Timothy Nolan will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014, at Olympia High School in Stanford. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at East View Christian Church in Normal. CDR Patrick Niemeyer will officiate. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, with military honors by the Marines of Engineer Company C.

Davis Mortuary in Hopedale is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Captain Reid Nannen Memorial Children's Fund at www.youcaring.com; or the Reid Nannen Family Educational Fund, c/o Heartland Bank, P.O. Box 67, Bloomington, IL 61702.

To express condolences online visit www.davismortuaryinc.com.