11/18/2007
Marion Wesley Reins was born on December 29, 1915, to Henry Leon Reins and Blanche
E. Ream. He lived most of his life in Knoxville, Iowa. After graduating from Knoxville
High School in 1934, Marion toured the East Coast and Southeastern United States
playing tenor saxophone and clarinet in various big bands, including the Jack Wardlaw
Orchestra.
He once played for the Rockettes in New York City. Marion was inducted
into the US Army Air Force in June 1941. He served as an Administrative Specialist,
Technical Sergeant stateside in the 4th Army Signal Corps and the 46th Fighter Squadron,
Iwo Jima South Field. He was Honorably Discharged on December 23, 1945.
On February
2, 1946 Marion married Eslie Culver of Greenfield, Iowa. Eslie was an Army nurse.
They returned to Knoxville and raised two sons, Wesley and Keith. Marion worked
as an accountant for the Veterans’ Administration until his retirement in 1976.
He also continued to play music locally in a dance band with his two sons. Marion’s
many hobbies included gardening, coin collecting and photography.
In their retirement,
Marion and Eslie were well known as antique doll collectors. Marion was a member
of the First United Methodist Church of Knoxville. He was also a member for over 50 years of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. and A.M., Lodge No. 61 in Knoxville.
Marion Wesley Reins passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 at the age of 91 years.
Eslie preceded Marion in death, April 2006. He is survived by two sons and their
wives, Wesley and Margie Reins of Buffalo Grove, IL; Keith Reins and Lorie Reins-Schweer
of Iowa City; and three grandchildren, George, Geoffrey and Kari. Funeral services
were held on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville at 1:00
p.m. Interment was be in Graceland Cemetery there.
Memorial in memory of Mr. Reins
may be made to Hospice of Iowa City. Condolence messages may be sent to the family
at www.williamsfhknoxville.com.