John J. Reedy was born January 4, 1914, at Winthrop, Iowa, to James and Catherine (Huston) Reedy.  He came to South Dakota with his parents in 1926 when he was twelve years old.

John graduated from Philip High School in 1933.  He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1934 to 1936.  The skills he learned during this time led to 47 years in the dirt moving profession.  He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He was united in marriage to Emilie Barcal on September 21, 1942, at White River, South Dakota.  Together they farmed and ranched in the Hilland and Philip areas for 28 years.  They moved into Philip in 1970, when their sons took over the ranching operation.

John became Haakon County Highway Superintendent and served in that capacity until he retired in 1976.  One of the highlights of John's life was the trip he, Emilie, and their son, Michael, took to his ancestral country, Ireland, in 1980.

John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #173, both of Philip.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Emilie, of Philip; their children, Mary Kay and her husband, Larry Sandal, and their children: John and his wife, Claudia, Clint, Laurie, Todd, Paul, Dina and Scott; Robert Reedy and his wife, Paula, and their children: Julie, Will, Christy, Mary, Anna, and Meghan; Richard Reedy (deceased) and his wife, Annie, Reedy Brunskill and her husband, Obie, and their children: James, Matthew, Erin, and John Paul Reedy and Marcy, Donna, Julie and Ross Brunskill; Joe Reedy (deceased); Joann and her husband, Lester, Pearson, and their children: Lance, Heather, and Haylee; Michael Reedy; one sister, Berniece Jensen of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his two sons, Joe and Richard, John was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Huston Reedy; three sisters, Veronica Hart, and two in infancy.

Rosary and Scripture Service
Tuesday, March 24, 1987
7:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, March 25, 1987
10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Celebrant
Father Michael Mulloy

Con-Celebrants
Father Christopher Scadron
Father David Gau
Father Jim Stehr
Father Patrick O'Connor

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Organist

Ushers
Marion Matt - Michael Gebes

Active Pallbearers
H.P. "Skeeter" Reedy - Dan Barcal
Hugh Hart - Albert Lunn
Jim Hart - Art Kane

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment with Military Honors
by the Philip American
Legion Post #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota