John B. Reese

1937 - 2022

John B. Reese passed from this earthly realm to dwell eternally with his Lord and Savior Saturday, May 14, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Born October 8, 1937, on his family farm in Amity, a son of Norton E. Reese and Nancy Ann Waychoff Reese, John was one of nine children.

He graduated from Trinity High School in 1955. On October 31, 1959, he married Judith Marlene Keeney of Washington, now deceased, with whom he had four children.

John owned and operated Reese Milk Transportation for many years. He loved driving trucks. He also briefly owned a saw mill, Reese Lumber Company and worked in the Montour #4 Mine for Consol as a coal miner. He knew every dairy farmer in all of Washington and Greene counties. A fascination with anything agriculture ensued. He loved big Mack trucks, Farmall tractors, tractor pulls, county fairs, cows, equipment, dairying and cutting hay. John also enjoyed fancy cars and old pickup trucks. He was legendary for his grass cutting skills.

John was a lifelong member of the North Ten Mile Baptist Church, where he was baptized and married, and served as deacon for several years. Many generations of his family are buried in the church cemetery.

He was a member of Washington Lodge No. 164 Free & Accepted Masons.

In his younger years, he was known for a prodigious appetite, being able to devour three or four dinner platefuls while retaining a trim figure. He went almost nowhere without a pouch of tobacco and a chew in his mouth.

John was fortunate to be the recipient of a heart transplant at UPMC in 2003. His family acknowledges the generosity of the unknown donor with much gratitude to the family who gave them 19 more years with John.

Upon his semi-retirement, he moved to Elk County, where he resided on a small farm. Many of the happiest times of his life were those he spent at his family cabin, Camp Harmony, on the Trout Run in Benezette. He also worked as a handyman and groundskeeper at the famous Ben's Store and Campgrounds. While in Elk County he frequently attended Down County Baptist Church, which he enjoyed very much.

In 1999, he married Patricia Fugitt Reese, who survives.

Left behind are his adorable constant companion, a fat yellow tabby cat named Scooter, as well as the loyal family dog, Daisy.

Surviving are four children, daughter, Lydia Jane Reese and husband Captain David Hayden Gates, USN Retired of Centerville; daughter, Bridget Ann Wolfe and husband Duane Douglas Wolfe of Claysville, with whom Mr. Reese made his home the last several years; his son, Timothy John Reese and his daughter, Rachel Marlene Reese, both of Washington; grandchildren, Juddson (Mindy) Wolfe, Joelle Wolfe, Jorey Wolfe, Elias John Wolfe, Nicholas and Nina Russo, and Kelsey, Benjamin, Hayden and Addison Reese; and six great-grandchildren, Emmett, Ella, Erra, Enniyah, Ettley and Einno Wolfe; his only surviving sister, Lenora (Lee) Reese Traficanti; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Reese was predeceased by seven other siblings: sister, Elizabeth "Betty" (Charles "Chuck") Acklin; brother, Ralph "Bud" Reese (Patricia, his wife who survives); sister, Doris Jean Reese; sister, Mary (Donald) Carson; sister, Ruth (Clifford) Tustin; sister, Wilma (Andreas) Demetris; and brother, Boyd Allen "Mike" Reese.

John's family would like to acknowledge Amedisys Hospice for the professional and compassionate care they provided for him during the last few months. Our heartfelt gratitude to all.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor / director, Holly Renay Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director, Park N. Crosier, director. Additional visitation will be held from 11 am. until the 12:30 p.m. hour of a funeral service Thursday, May 19, in the North Ten Mile Baptist Church, 322 Ridge Church Road, Amity, PA 15311, with the Rev. Mark Bauer officiating. Interment will be private. All are invited to a luncheon at the church immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Ten Mile Baptist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.