Jay Riegler Obituary
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Jay Dee "Jay D Bird" Riegler
November 5, 1950 – August 10, 2025
Jay Dee "Jay D Bird" Riegler, beloved son of the late John Riegler and the late Ida Riegler, passed away on August 10, 2025, surrounded by family. He was the cherished brother of John (Sharon), Jerry (April), Jeff, and Jan, and the much-loved uncle of Lori, Janel (Chris), Jennifer (Ryan), Katie (Paris), Evan (Eve), Sara, Josh, Brendan, Aria, Alex, Nicholas, Cole, Zach, Dylan, Ella, Loretta, and was a longtime friend of Bill W.
Jay was known to everyone as "Uncle Jay" whether you were family or not. He was smart, full of energy, and endlessly social, with a gift for striking up a conversation with anyone.
A proud Army veteran, Jay served as an air traffic controller in both Vietnam and Afghanistan before continuing that work in civilian life. He was honored to take part in the Honor Flight, a trip that meant a great deal to him.
Jay also worked at Next Step Residential Services, more than just a job, it was a family business. There, Jay was a familiar face, a source of encouragement, and, to many clients, a bit of a rock star. His humor, kindness, and ability to make everyone feel seen left a lasting impact.
He lived life with enthusiasm and a sense of fun. He was the life of the party, always ready for a new adventure, from taking his nieces and nephews to Monkey Joe's or the Dollar Store for a "shopping spree" to cheering on his favorite teams. He loved basketball, both playing and watching, and was a fixture at the YMCA, where he worked out, played ball, and swapped stories in the whirlpool with friends.
Jay enjoyed visiting the horses at the track, traveling, and soaking up the music, food, and atmosphere of his favorite city, New Orleans. Wherever he went, he left behind new friends and good memories.
Jay will be deeply missed by his family, his many friends, and the countless people lucky enough to have called him "Uncle Jay."
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME 7626 W. Greenfield Avenue from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at 5:00PM. Private interment Highland Memorial Park.