Joseph W. Reiter

Joseph William Reiter was born July 3, 1937, at his home in rural Beloit, Kansas. He was the son of Leo and Elizabeth Karleskint Reiter. He died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, KS at the age of 72.
Joe attended Prairie Grove Country School and was a 1955 graduate of St. John's High School, Beloit, KS. He attended St. Stanislaus Seminary of Florissant, MO. He worked on the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System in Wichita and the Glen Elder Dam. For 35 years, painting was his work and his joy. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and high-quality work.
Joe married Janice DeeAnn Robinson on November 24, 1962, at St. John the Baptist Church, Beloit, KS and lived all 45 married years in Beloit. Their five children are Beth, Teresa, Lisa, Bill and Sara.
Joe was a devoted husband and father who provided a loving and faith-filled home for his family. A man of few words, he taught by example. He valued the Catholic education his children received at St. John's Catholic Schools. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He treasured his grandchildren's visits and enjoyed hearing their stories.
He loved classic cars, playing cards and having family get-togethers, where the house would instantly fill with loud laughter. He was known for his gentle-hearted spirit. His faith strengthened throughout his life and praying for others became his vocation.
Joe was a long-time member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his children Beth and husband Danny Fox of Lawrence, KS and their sons Justin, Jonathan, Drew and Blake; Teresa Reiter of Beloit, KS; Lisa Reiter of Kansas City, MO; Bill Reiter and wife Shari of Gardner, KS and their children Ethan, Jarrett and Adelyn; Sara Reiter of Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by his three siblings, Richard Reiter, Carol Weber and Delores Charbonneau, all of Beloit, KS. Joe will also be lovingly remembered by twenty-five nieces and nephews and numerous cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 5 at the St. John's Catholic Church followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday at McDonald Funeral Home. A rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Friday at the Church. Memorials may be given to the St. John's Memorial Trust Fund.