Lavern J. “Tony” Reigel, 96, Marshfield, passed away with family at his side on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 11, 2022 at East Gate Alliance Church, Marshfield, with his son-in-law, Rev. Gary Russell officiating. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield. The Marshfield Police Department will form an honor guard and his grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday at Rembs Funeral Home and from 10:00 am until service time on Friday at East Gate Church.
Lavern was born on April 4, 1925, in Marshfield, to James and Mary (George) Reigel and was a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. He married Ruth L. “Dolly” Regall on June 5, 1948 in Marshfield. They were married for almost 72 years until she entered eternal life on May 31, 2020.
As a young man Tony was employed at Roddis Plywood (Weyerhaeuser) Company, Marshfield. After their marriage, the Reigels farmed in the Marshfield area until 1956 when Tony began a career with the Marshfield Police Department, beginning as a patrolman working his way to the head of the Detective Bureau, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Detective on January 4, 1985. While serving with the police department he became the first polygraph operator in the area and was a charter member of the Wisconsin Polygraph Association. He was the first “Officer Friendly” for the school system, assisted with animal control and in retirement was a Process Server for Marshfield attorneys.
One of Tony’s passions was to be a public servant and after his retirement he served on the Marshfield Board of Education from 1985 until 1997, part of that time serving as board president. He served on the Wood County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, serving as board president there for a time.
Tony’s greatest love of service was his church where he wore many hats, serving in a variety of capacities, from manual labor to various offices. He was a charter member and was instrumental in the construction of East Gate Alliance Church.
A quote that was often heard by his 8 children, their families and many others was “I have the best family in the world.” He was loved and will be missed by his children, Linda (Gary) Russell, Kenneth (Terri) Reigel, Wayne (Nancy) Reigel, Janice K. Reigel, Jane (Robert) Hocking, Jill Reigel, and Amy (Scott) Cattanach. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dolly, a son Thomas, a great granddaughter, Olivia, and three brothers.
Having a heart for missions, memorials may be designated in his name to East Gate Alliance Church, Marshfield, where donations will be sent to selected missions ministries.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
