John David “Dave” Reynolds, Sr., 80, of Irvington, Illinois, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Centralia Manor in Centralia, Illinois, with family by his side.
Dave was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 18, 1944, to John Dennis and Marie (Johnson) Reynolds. He grew up in rural Woodlawn, Illinois, beginning elementary school at one of the many one-room schoolhouses still common then, before attending Woodlawn Grade School and Woodlawn High School. At Mount Vernon Community College, Dave met Linda Sue Willmore, and on August 25, 1963, they married in Woodlawn, Illinois. Dave later graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a degree in Biology.
After teaching junior high school science for a semester, Dave worked for two years in the Illinois Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation crime laboratory in Springfield, Illinois. In 1968 an opportunity arose to help develop the new Toxicology Department of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Animal Disease Laboratory in Centralia, and Dave and Linda moved their young family to Irvington. As a chemist Dave developed several new techniques, including one for detecting Warfarin in tissue samples. He always considered it ironic that he eventually was prescribed Warfarin by his own doctor. After many years of service, Dave retired as Bureau Chief from the Centralia Laboratory in 2000. In retirement, Dave served for several years on the Irvington Fire Protection District board.
Known as “Papa” to his grandchildren, Dave loved to play and be silly with them. One of their favorite games was to “argh-you” with Papa. He had many interests and hobbies over the years, but he’ll be remembered especially for raising Christmas trees and for his love of old Ford trucks and Mobil oil memorabilia. For about 25 years Dave and Linda grew and sold Christmas trees at the family farm where he grew up, and he restored and enjoyed driving a red 1956 Ford F-100 pickup truck. Dave had an extensive collection of Mobil oil items, and he published a book about them.
In addition to his wife, Linda, of 61 years, he is also survived by a son, John David Reynolds, Jr. and wife Linda Kay of Centralia; a daughter, April Allison and husband Brian of Byhalia, Mississippi; six grandchildren, Sara Hall and husband Steven of Norman, Oklahoma, Shelby Wallace and husband Seth of Sydney, Ohio, Christine Oechsler and husband Cody of Byhalia, Mississippi, Leah Ritter and husband Jesse of Harrison, Tennessee, Rebecca Reynolds of the Caucasus, and Jonathan Reynolds of Centralia; two great-grandchildren, Dorian Hall and Declan Hall; one great-grandson on the way and one great-granddaughter on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Reynolds; three sisters, Hazel Pape, Joyce Hancock, and Rose Cole; one nephew and one niece.
A Visitation will be held Monday, September 30, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM a Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Upchurch officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Woodlawn, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Odd Fellows Cemetery and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, 618-532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Reynolds Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting Sutherland Funeral Homes, Cemetery and Cremation Services and the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
