Samuel L. Reynolds, 86, died on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, at his home.
Visitation were held from 9 a.m. until time of the funeral services at 11 on Thursday, March 7, at Bethel Baptist Church in Jerseyville. The Rev. Joel Lohr officiated. Burial took place in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.
Mr. Reynolds was born on Jan. 5, 1938, in Jersey County, the son of the late Charles E. and Mary Elizabeth Reynolds. He graduated in 1956 from Jersey Community High School. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Army Reserves.
After the Army, Mr. Reynolds took a job at McDonnell -Douglas Aircraft where he only planned on staying a couple of months “until it was time to plant the spring crops”, but instead worked there for 36 years, retiring in 1993. During his time at McDonnell-Douglas he primarily worked as an inspector, advancing to foreman, working on many fighter aircraft, his favorite being the F-15 Eagle, and included traveling to California during the initial production of the F/A 18 Hornet.
Not one to sit still, after retiring from McDonnell-Douglas Mr. Reynolds worked as a bus driver for Jersey Community Unit District 100, retiring there after 10 years.
After retiring from being a school bus driver, Mr. Reynolds enjoyed being a seasonal farm worker. Additionally, he served on the Jersey Community Unit District 100 School Board for 12 years, including as serving as president. For many years he has been active in caring for and maintaining Keller Cemetery in rural Jersey County.
A lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church, Mr. Reynolds served his church and showed his deep faith in many ways, including as serving as trustee, deacon and for many years as a Sunday School teacher.
It is at Bethel that Mr. Reynolds met and married his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Lou. She proceeded him in death on November 30, 2023.
The couple were avid travelers and enjoyed driving coast to coast enjoying this beautiful country on many long adventures. Mr. Reynolds had a deep love for his horses, spending countless hours on horseback and tending to them. But always, family was the most important part of his life. His wife, children, and grandchildren were all deeply loved and knew it. He was also a part of the large extended ‘Smith’ family, which included many aunts, uncles and cousins who he cherished.
Mr. Reynolds is survived by three children and their spouses, Paul and Lisa Reynolds of Carlinville, Marsha and Paul Boschert of Edwardsville, and Steven and Kim Reynolds of Litchfield; his four grandchildren and their spouses, Samantha Boschert of Portland, OR, Gregory Reynolds of Edwardsville, Matthew and Alexis Reynolds of Columbia, MO, and Maggie Reynolds of Litchfield; sister and brother in-law, Jean and Roger Carroll of Jerseyville, and brother and sister in-law, Roger and Peggy Reynolds of Jerseyville.
Mr. Reynolds was preceeded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given to the Bethel Baptist Church in Jerseyville, in care of Crawford Funeral Home.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
