Obituary of James Edward Reeder

James Edward "Jim" Reeder, 81, of State College, died Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Born October 28, 1940, in Tyrone, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Grace Alberta Varner Reeder. On December 23, 1973 he married Mary L. Houck, who survives.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Todd Reeder and his wife Lisa, and Kristen Reeder Katancik and her husband Tom, both of State College; five grandchildren, Shelby Rinehimer and her husband Zach, Carly Holzworth and her husband Brad, Landon Katancik, Rylan Katancik, and Cameron Katancik; and four great grandchildren, Lily, Gunner, Lincoln, and Teddy. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Hutchens, on January 29, 2021.

Other than a very brief stint in California, Jim lived in State College his entire life. Growing up as a boy on Nittany Avenue, he dreamed someday of playing football on Memorial Field across the street from his house. While at State High, that dream came true and later Jim graduated from State College High School in 1959. In his younger years, he worked at Woodring's, Chem-Cut, WRSC, and finally to Nittany Beverage. In 1986, Jim and Mary "Made it their Choice" and purchased Nittany Beverage and their related franchises. Over the next 35 years, with Jim as President of the company, Nittany Beverage became a stalwart of the Downtown community.

Although family was always the priority for Jim, he had numerous other passions. As a long-time member of both the State College Elks and of Centre Hills Country Club, Jim took full advantage of every sunny day in Happy Valley and hit the Links. In 2015 Jim finally carded his first Hole-in-One which capped an impressive career of golf. For nearly 30 years at Centre Hills, if you were at the golf course, you were greeted with a big smile and wave as Jim drove by on his cart.

Another love of Jim's were his model trains. For those that got to enjoy a visit, they always left in amazement of this labor of love and engineering wonder in the basement. Jim worked with multiple scales and the details of his layouts ignited the imaginations of people of all ages. These trains were far more than a hobby, Jim created a whole world with his hands. His other joy was more of an obsession…his lawn! There is no doubt that Jim's hope was to make the greenkeepers at every golf course envious of his pristine lawn. If you drove past the house, chances are you would see Jim on his tractor or working on irrigation. If perfection was the goal, he put it to shame.

Jim's love for his Lord Jesus Christ was second to none in his life. He and Mary were members at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church for decades as well as regular attendees of the Christ Community Church. Many of their dearest relationships began and flourished while at church every Sunday. "Jimmy" was a friend to all and loved by so many. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of the ones that love him, yet even on his last day his only wish was that everyone celebrates his time with us and show LOVE. "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Visitation will be 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.

Funeral service will be 10 am, Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Christ Community Church, 200 Ellis Place, State College, with Pastor Mitch Smith officiating.

Private burial will be in Graysville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Christ Community Church, 200 Ellis Place, State College, PA 16801, or to State College Alliance Church, 1221 W. Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16801.