John Martin Reitz, 77, of Curtis, passed away Oct. 11, 2011, in Lincoln.

He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., on March 5, 1934, to Jonathan and Margaret Reitz. He attended Catholic schools in Philadelphia. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Panama.

During his tour he married Nancy Law, who blessed him with a son, Dennis. After his tour, John returned to Philadelphia and being unable to find employment, he re-enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in Denver, Colo.

John and Nancy’s marriage was dissolved and Nila (Messersmith), of Farnam, entered his life. John and Nila have two sons, Lynn, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Alan, of Curtis.

John’s career was the Air Force where he worked as an accountant and continued his education and graduated with a Masters Degree, Suma Cum Laude.

John retired from the Air Force. After working at the Telegraph from 1975-80 he moved to Anchorage, where he worked at the Anchorage Daily News. He also had his own accounting business and taught accounting at a charter college. He then went back to Washington, D.C., to work for the Federal Government. He retired to Florida and finally moved to Curtis in 2008.

John loved traveling and seeing historic sites and had traveled most of the world. He was active in Rotary and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife, Nila; sons, Dennis, Lynn and Alan; grandsons, Dennis Jr. and wife, of Philadelphia, Chris (Misty), of North Platte, Nicholas (Heidi), of Hershey, and Cole, of Anchorage; great-granddaughters, Jaycee, Kenzee and Rylee; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an uncle, Eddie Reitz.

A memorial has been established and online condolences can be made to adamsswanson.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, at the First United Methodist Church in Curtis. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m., today and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Curtis.

Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 14 Oct 2011