HAROLD LEE REAVES

OAK GROVE- A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, at St. Paul Church, for Harold Lee Reaves, 89, Oak Grove, who died peacefully at his home on Monday, May 14, 2018. Dinner will be served following the graveside service.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, at St. Paul Church, 205 Hill St., Napoleon.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Reaves, of the home; eight children, Linda Nieweg and husband Gary, Napoleon, Harold Wayne Reaves, Lexington, Sandra Mitchell and husband Lightning, Independence, Debbie Thilking and husband Harold, Napoleon, Claude Reaves, Independence, Pam Christensen, Philadelphia, PA, Loretta Perry and husband Dale, Raytown and Michelle Jones and husband Randy, Wellington; a brother, Merl Reaves and Mack, Warsaw and Joyce; a sister, Joyce Ryan and husband Irvin, Independence; 21 grandchildren, Jennifer Bane, Michael Nieweg, Connie Okorn, Tim McIntire, Amy Fouse, Angela Dutton, Roy Scott, Danielle Reaves, Ryan Reaves, Chris Christensen, Shelly Thilking, Daniel Thilking, Bradley Reaves, Christina Dryden, Gordon Rees, Amanda Randolph, Ambrosia Lane, Cynthia Shryor, Joshua Brown, Kaitlyn Jones and Nathan Jones; 38 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Winford Reaves and wife Alma; sisters, Mary Hawks and husband John and Reba Driskell and husband Cliff; a daughter, Shirley Ford and a granddaughter, Nickie Rees.

Mr. Reaves was born July 20, 1928, in Lamar, to May Yancey (Crockett) and William Ray Reaves. He was the fourth oldest of six children. He lived in Lamar as a farmer when he married Maxine (Staley) and reared five children, Linda Nieweg, Sandra Mitchell, Harold W. Reaves, Debbie Thilking and Claude Reaves. He moved from Lamar in 1959 to Buckner, where he was employed at Armco Steel until his retirement in 1988. He lost Maxine to cancer in 1972 and married Betty (Florence) in 1975. They celebrated 43 wonderful years together in February. Betty brought three children into the marriage, Pam Christensen, Shirley Ford and Loretta Perry. Their union produced a daughter, Michelle Jones.

In the mid 1980’s, he and his wife moved to Napoleon, where they started an antique shop named Ma & Pa’s Riverview Antiques. He also served two terms as the mayor of Napoleon. He was very active in his community and was involved in various activities including the Lions Club and helping to raise funds for street lights. He created an annual event named the Spring Fling to raise money for the first fire engine in Napoleon, as well as the creation of a city hall for the town.

Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing, playing cards, mushroom hunting and spending time with family and friends. His passion for auctions led him to be an auctioneer for many years throughout the area, until he retired from auctioneering at the age of 75.