John Newton Reitzel

TSgt John Newton Reitzel, USAF, Retired, age 90, of Hillsboro, Kentucky, formerly of Alamogordo, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Born November 24, 1926, in Stilesville, Indiana, he was the son of the late Thomas Albert and Clara Richardson Reitzel. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jewell Arons Reitzel; a daughter, Janice Sue Reitzel; one brother, Richard Reitzel; and two sisters, Catherine Baumert and Shirley Pace.

He is survived by one daughter, Judy K. (Dale) Whaley of Hillsboro, Kentucky; two sons, James A. (Dina) Reitzel of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Herman L. (Ana) Smith of Alamogordo, New Mexico; nine grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Other survivors include three sisters, Rachel Moreland of Manhattan, Kansas, Patricia Casteel of Folsom, California, and Sharon Fruits of Stilesville, Indiana; nieces and nephews; extended family and friends.

TSgt Reitzel retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving his country for 20 years. Loved by family and friends, he was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was a founding member of the Alamogordo Rock Hound Club, a member of the Alamogordo Lions Club, and enjoyed hiking, gardening, and reading (nearly always a book a day). An avid wanderer, John loved traveling the back roads of New Mexico and Kentucky. When he moved to Kentucky nine years ago, he also enjoyed attending Fleming County Senior Citizens activities and events.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2017, at the First Christian Church in Owingsville, Kentucky. A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. with Bro. Anthony Anderson and Bro. Sean Bailey officiating.

Additional visitation will be held in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Graveside services with military honors will be conducted at 3 p.m. at the Monte Vista Cemetery with Chaplain Jeff Swanson officiating.

Following the graveside service there will be a gathering with refreshments in the banquet room at Desert Lakes Golf Course. Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org/Donate

The Reitzel family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.

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