John E. Reinders

John E. Reinders, 82, of Burke VA, formerly of Riverton, ILL, died (May 24, 2025) in Cornelia, GA.

He was born January 9, 1943, in Middletown, ILL, the son of John D. and Sylvia A. Poe Reinders. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Kathleen M. Rogerson and Nadene Ferrer, and brothers Charles W., Gerald D. and Glenn E. Reinders.

Surviving is his daughter, Melisa G. Clarke of Melbourne, FL; sons John R. (Andrea) Reinders of Cornelia, GA, and Brenton J. Reinders of Columbus, OH; sister Margaret L. Reinders of Caldwell, TX, brother Melvin A. (Brenda) Reinders of Caldwell, TX and grandchildren John R. Reinders, II (Ohara) of Decatur, GA and Sierra and Corey Clarke of Melbourne, FL; greatgrandchildren Roland and Rouge Reinders of Decatur, GA.

Upon graduating from Riverton High School in 1960, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served 29 years, retiring in 1989 in the grade of Chief Master Sergeant. He continued serving the Department of Defense in civilian positions with the Air Mobility Command at Andrews AFB, MD, the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, VA and the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, VA. He served the Defense Department a combined total of 53 years with more than half of that time served in the Washington D.C. area.

His military career included overseas assignments in Alaska, Australia, Germany, Hawaii, and Okinawa. He served more than 10 years with the Air Force Technical Applications Center, an organization with rich heritage and a mission of operating a global network of nuclear event detection equipment to monitor compliance with the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty.

John’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards) and the Air Force Commendation Medal (four awards).

Memorial services will be held at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens, IL at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with burial in Indian Point Cemetery, Athens, IL.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family.