Louis J. Reichenberger's Obituary
After almost a week of fighting for his life from a devastating fall, hitting his head in his basement, Louis James Reichenberger, gave up his life to the Lord he loved. While his wife, Ellie, just one month shy of 50 years and his children did not want to see him go they knew it was God’s will. The family surrounded his bedside in the ICU, along with Louie’s priest, who prayed over him. We will all have to learn to live without his smile, help, love, hugs and the pet names he gave everyone he met.
Louie was born to Theodore Reichenberger and Rose (Samer) on June 21, 1947 almost at Rumlows Tavern but his dad drove faster. Louis was the last of four children who all grew up on their farm on Fisk Ave. Louie helped his dad on the farm full time until he graduated from high school. Then he helped his dad while also working for a construction company until he was drafted in the Army and trained to repair tanks in Vietnam. He served from March 1969 to March 1970, where he received The Bronze Star medal. Upon Louie’s return to his country, he worked at Leach Company- welding trucks, 7-up Bottling Company- driving semi, Medalist Universal Division- building machines. He viewed his greatest accomplishment as starting his own business called ‘Lou’s Small Engine’ in 1983, giving it his best to every customer. While he continued to run his business, Louie also worked for the Oshkosh Area School System, as a custodian until 2009. He greatly enjoyed fishing with his friends, hunting with his boys, playing cards with the group, restoring his 1949 Chevy pickup and watching his grandchildren grow up.
Louis leaves behind the girl he married, Ethel (Ellie) Schmitt Stoddart on September 18,1971. They have three children. Ted John Reichenberger (Nicole), Trisha Jean Hunter (Bruce), Timothy James Reichenberber (Jacklyn). Papa Louie gave nicknames to all his grandchildren. TJ (Scooter) Reichenberger , Zachary (Bruiser) Hunter, Ivy (Peanut) Reichenberger , Ty (Tiny) Reichenberger , Bristol Sage (BS) Reichenberger , and Ember (Sparkie) Reichenberger . We can’t forget his dog Brandy (Stinky). He is survived by his brother Jerome Reichenberger (Donna) and Brother/Sister in-laws Gen Steinhilber (Jerry), Margie Cockran, Jacki Nechkash (Bill), James Schmitt (Vicki), and Daniel Schmitt and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear old friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Louie on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 12noon in St. Raphael Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Drive in Oshkosh with the Rev. Tom Long as celebrant. A time of visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9 am until the time of Mass. Burial with full military honors will be in Lake View Memorial Park Cemetery. Preceding him in death were both his parents, brother Theodore Reichenberger Jr., sister-in-law Harriet Reichenberger, sister Phyllis Koch, brother-in-law Roger Koch, brother-in-law Vincent Shrock, Rick Polowkowski, Bill Cochran, Johnny Schmitt and also nephews, cousins, and friends. A sincere thank you to all the ER doctors, nurses as well as the ICU nurses and Hospice nurses at ThedaCare in Neenah for taking such good care of my Louie. We also thank Dr. Thomas Klinkhammer and Dr. Phillip Yazbak for their efforts.
Another big thank you to Father Tom of St. Raphael Catholic Church. He was with us from the beginning all the way to the end. He prayed with our family and Louie multiple times over multiple days.
In lieu of flowers Louie would like you to donate to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the Oshkosh Humane Society. He always said “If God turns the page and my name is on it, there is nothing I can do.”
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