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John Reist Obituary
John Arthur Reist, 84, of Dowagiac, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday April 29, 2025, at Corewell Health Hospital in Saint Joseph, MI.
He was born February 23, 1941, in Dowagiac, Michigan, the son of Donald Reist and Jennie (Heskett) Reist.
John graduated from Decatur High School with the class of 1959. After high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp from 1959 to 1963. He was honorably discharged and worked his career at General Telephone, retiring in 1995.
A man of many hobbies and interests, John could be found camping, shooting, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, watching cowboy movies and researching history. He loved his cats, Abbie, Casey and Smokey and was the best cat dad! John also adored his family and will be deeply missed by them.
He is survived by the love of his life, Diana Jane (Boitnott) Reist, whom he married on July 14, 1984; daughters, Judy (Bobby) Blaylock and Terri (Tony) Roberts; grandchildren, Chelsey (Jake) Tooney, Brandon (Tasia) Roberts, Brandy (Tim) Wesner and John (Stephanie) Blaylock and great-grandchildren, Bailey Wesner, Travis Wessner, Stassi Roberts, Soryn Roberts, Tessa Toney and Track Toney.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Duane Reist, niece, Diane Fricke and nephew, Matthew Tartaglia.
Cremation will take place. John will be laid to rest with military honors on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.
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