James Reuter

Wasilla resident James Reuter, 91, died at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, Aug. 8, 2011, with friends and family at his side.

A memorial mass is at 11 a.m., Aug. 13 at Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla with Father Scott Garrett celebrating. Inurnment will take place in Illinois at a later date.

James was born Aug. 25, 1919, to Frank and Evelyn Reuter in Kankakee, Ill. Except for a stint in California during World War II, where he worked on production of the P51 Mustang, he resided in Kankakee until his retirement from the family business, Henry Reuter and Sons. He attended the University of Illinois and was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. He was actively involved with the American Heart Association, Kankakee Men’s Bowling Association, Illinois State Sheetmetal Association and was a past Exalted Ruler of the Kankakee Elks Lodge. James was a huge Chicago White Sox fan.

While in California, he met and married Wilma Sanborn. They returned to Kankakee and raised a daughter. At age 70, he retired to New Port Richey, Fla., with his second wife, Jackie Preston. There, he enjoyed sun, sand and especially golf, until an accident brought him to Alaska to live with his daughter in 2002.

He loved Valley Performing Arts productions, having lunch at the Wasilla Senior Center, helping with 4-H, being a guest patient for the CNA students at the Alaska Job Corps Center, and most recently attending the Palmer Adult Day Center.

Surviving are his daughter, Janyce Webb and partner, Michael Wind of Wasilla; grandchildren, Jillyan (Keith) Webb Hendickson of Big Lake and Travis Webb of Denver, Colo.; brother, Frank (Kathleen) Reuter of Fort Worth, Texas, and their children, Mark (Diane) Reuter, Stephen (Barbara) Reuter, Anne (Robert) Bradford, Kathy (John) Murzyn; special family/friends, Lara, Brandon and Emma Thompson, Jason, Kayla and Delanie Wind, Charlene and KC Christensen, Grandma Char, Brad Webb and his Sacred Heart Church family.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie; and nephew, Christopher Reuter.

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Agency or Hospice.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel.