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James A. Reinhard Obituary

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James A. Reinhard

Greenville, IL

May 12, 1932 - February 23, 2021

James A. Reinhard Obituary

Dr. James A. Reinhard, 88, of Greenville, IL passed to his heavenly home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at his home in Greenville. A private family celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Greenville Free Methodist Church. The family is inviting any family that can not be present, and friends, colleagues, former students and parishioners to join them in this memorial celebration via an on-line streaming event at the time of the service. Dr. Reinhard was born on May 12, 1932 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Arnold William Reinhard and Arminda (Wulliman) Reinhard. He grew up in Ft. Wayne, graduating from South Side High School. He is a 1954 graduate of Greenville College (University) and received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1957. Dr. Reinhard completed a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa in 1971. He married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Marjean Cassabaum, on June 6, 1953. They spent the majority of their years in Greenville raising four children who all attended Greenville College. Dr. Reinhard taught religious studies at Greenville University from 1957 to 1994. Upon his retirement from teaching, Dr. Reinhard continued his passion for preaching and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He remained active on the Greenville University campus for many years, meeting new students, attending conferences and sporting events. He was an avid Lady Panthers basketball and softball fan. Dr. Reinhard was a much loved professor who will be greatly missed by former colleagues, community friends, and the thousands of students that he taught and mentored over the years. Often referred to as a professor with a pastor’s heart, Dr. Reinhard had a passion for both teaching and preaching. Dr. Reinhard had a strong desire to connect with his students on an individual basis. He was well known for his practice of memorizing each of his students’ names, even in his large lecture classes of 60+ students, by the second day of class. Upon hearing of Dr. Reinhard’s passing, many of these former students have posted on-line tributes of the many ways in which he has impacted their lives and supportively guided and encouraged them to pursue their passions. Many considered him their mentor, counselor, friend, or surrogate parent while away from home. Dr. Reinhard was a Jesus Christ follower and loved to preach the Gospel. He took a sabbatical leave in 1978 to pastor the Hillside Free Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois and made many lifelong friends there. Throughout his teaching career and beyond, Dr. Reinhard filled the pulpit frequently at many area churches and churches across the country. He was frequently asked to speak at other colleges, conferences, and camp meetings. Many of Dr. Reinhard’s sermons, such as Balloons Belong in Church, Anticipate Your Regrets, and A White Stone with a A New Name, among many others, are still remembered by many students and parishioners. Dr. Reinhard has also officiated at the wedding ceremonies of countless students, all of his children, and many of his grandchildren. Dr. Reinhard will also be remembered for founding The Simple Room, a local Greenville youth ministry, in 1983. Dr. Reinhard was teaching a Creative Evangelism class at the time. He and his students were searching for a way they could creatively share the gospel in their local community. While doing so, they noticed that many young people were unsupervised after school. They decided that they just needed a room…a simple room, where students could gather in a safe and trusting environment, and where they could develop healthy relationships and learn life skills. And so, The Simple Room was born, and is now in its 38th year of providing supportive guidance and mentoring to the youth of Bond County. Dr. Reinhard was also a committed husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was dearly loved by all of his family. His children saw him as a kind and wise father encouraging his children to put “God First” as was displayed on an aluminum plaque made by Jim’s father in their garage foundry. He encouraged them to love others and explore new ideas. He disciplined and taught with grace, even as he corrected their grammar. He treasured his wife - he saw them as a team - she typed his dissertation, helped plan B&C trips, made cookies and treats for students, sports teams and grandchildren and served alongside him in many different roles at Greenville College and was his beautiful caretaker during his last days on earth. He was referred to by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their “totally awesome” Papa. He will always be cherished for his presence and the interest that he took in their lives, as he and his devoted wife of 68 years, Marilyn, crisscrossed the country attending every play performance, concert, graduation, wedding ceremony, and any other milestone event that was important to them. Jim Reinhard is survived by his lovely wife, Marilyn; a daughter Sheri (Reinhard) Doe and her husband, Denis of Bartlesville, OK; a son, James S. Reinhard and his wife, Stella of Salem, VA; a son, Mark A. Reinhard, of Glen Carbon, IL; a son, Brian K. Reinhard and his wife, Carla, of Greenville, IL; He had 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren whom he dearly loved. Also very special to him were his 3 nieces and 2 nephews and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only sister, Sharon (Reinhard) Black and her husband, Dale Black, and his beloved granddaughter, Noelle (Reinhard) Howard. The family requests that any memorial gifts or donations be sent to one of the following: The Simple Room - 405 Franklin Avenue, Greenville, IL. 62246 Greenville University - 315 E. College Avenue, Greenville, IL. 62246 Greenville Free Methodist Church - 1367 IL Route 140, Greenville, IL 62246 The Reinhard family would like to thank those who so quickly texted our family members and left beautiful words of love and encouragement on the “Greenville University Alumni Association” Facebook page as well as his personal “James Arnold Reinhard” Facebook page. Condolences may also be left on the website: donnellwiegand.com

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of James A. Reinhard.