CENTRALIA — Melvin “Paul” Reuter, of Centralia, passed away Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.
Paul was born August 18, 1932, in Nashville, IL, the son of Melvin Reuter and Hazel (Hemphill) Reuter. He married Viola (Sprehe) Reuter on March 3, 1956, and she survives him in Centralia.
In addition to his wife Viola, he is survived by one son: David Reuter and wife Barbi of Tuscan, AZ; two daughters: Connie Profancik and husband Marc of Centralia and Sally Wier and husband Tim of Sugarland, TX; nine grandchildren: Justin Profancik and wife Renee of St. Joseph, IL, Lindsey Grant and husband Brian of Vacaville, California, Nick Profancik and wife Katelyn of St. Louis, MO, Katie Weir of Sugarland, TX, Wilson Reuter and wife Shannon of Mission Viejo, California, Amy Michaels and husband Joshua of Richardson, TX, Bennett Soriano of Houston, TX, Emily Weir of Houston, TX, and Delaney Reuter of Tuscan, AZ; nine great-grandchildren: Aubree, Keegan, Oliver, Maggie, Elliott, Hadley, Vera, August, Isaac, and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents: Melvin and Hazel Reuter; and three brothers: Charles Reuter, Harold Reuter, and Carl Reuter.
Paul served in the Marines during the Korean War. After serving our country, he went to St. Louis College of Pharmacy. His first job was in Centralia at Benson’s Pharmacy. He later bought into Byrd Watson pharmacy and then went with Dr. Beguelin to open the clinic and pharmacy in Irvington where he spent his remaining career. He had a number of interests and hobbies. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, and playing golf. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and the laughter they shared. He felt “very blessed and proud to have such a wonderful family”. He will be dearly missed by his family and those that knew him.
Services for Paul Reuter will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Centralia with Pastor Sydney Davis, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022.
Memorial donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church and can be accepted at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Reuter family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.