Cletus L. 'Clete' Reymann, 87, of Tiffin, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2010, in the ER at Mercy Tiffin Hospital.

Cletus Leonard first saw the light of day on March 21, 1922, with his twin brother Clement Leo, the 13th and 14th children of 16 born to Charles and Salome Reymann. Their surviving son is the Rev. James Reymann of Wellington, Ohio, a Priest for 51 years, who will con-celebrate at the funeral services.

Survivors include two sons; Lawrence (Cira) Reymann of Renton, WA; James (Gena) Reymann of Gig Harbor, WA; three daughters, twins Colleen (Kurt) Reymann of Bellevue, WA and Charleen (Dan "Bud") Hering of Bellevue, WA; Maureen Reymann, of Louisville, KY: seven grandchildren, Brian and Patrick Reymann, Caitlyn Oken, Colin and Riley Hering, Carolyn and John Laux; his long time companion of 22 years Shirley Garpiel; and stepchildren Lisa Hilbert and Matt Weimerskirch.

Clete was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Kathleen Oken, three sisters, and eleven brothers.

Dad grew up in a large, devoutly Roman Catholic household in Akron, Ohio, shaped and toughened by the Great Depression. The family rule was "If you have two cans of food in the cupboard, you give one away to the hungry." Two brothers became Priests, Padre Alberto, a Maryknoll Missionary first. Along with four (ultimately five) brothers, Cletus answered his country's call to duty in World War II: Vincent survived heavy combat in the Battle of the Bulge as an infantryman, Clem a highly decorated Naval Pilot, Richard in the Army, Fr. Jim a B29 aviator, and younger brother Tom a Marine Corps Officer. Cletus earned his wings as a P38 pilot stationed in the Philippines, serving with distinction in the 8th Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group. He flew over 100 missions in the Pacific Theatre in the plane he named "Dear John" inspired by the letter he received shortly after arriving at his Tac Loban airbase ending a romantic relationship. His patriotism inspired a fierce love of the Air Force; he served in the Air Force Reserve, and then for decades as Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy in Northwest Ohio with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received national acclaim for the quality of cadets he recruited to serve their Country, and was highly decorated in recognition of his devotion and inspiration.

When Clete returned from the War, he earned a business degree at Akron University, then met, wooed and wed a pretty young Irish stewardess with United Airlines, a registered nurse named Catherine McKeivier. Their marriage was tumultuous. In 1956, shortly before the birth of the twins, they relocated to Tiffin, Ohio. Here they raised their six children. Clete worked with several brothers as a furniture salesman for the San Hygene Furniture Manufacturing Co., a family owned business his parents had founded. With hard work, honesty and skill, he transformed his territory from the the least to the most productive market for his company, and his career in "furn biz", as he put it, lasted well into his 70s.

Cletus's service to his country was equaled by his service to his Church, St. Joseph's Parish, and community, Tiffin, Ohio. He loved to sing; with St. Matthew's Choir in Akron, then for decades with the Choir at St. Joseph's. He organized festivals, sold tickets, raised money and spirits for countless parish programs. He was a tireless worker for Habitat for Humanity, mobilized and harassed dozens of friends, strangers, nieces and nephews to raise funds and staff an annual golf event that raised tens of thousands of dollars on their behalf. He traveled annually, while he could, to build housing for the homeless in Tijuana, Mexico. He coached a young girls' softball team for 20 years, and was an avid college sports fan, especially for OSU teams, Air Force, and Jesuit school basketball. His sense of humor was exquisite, famous, and always outrageous. To know him was to enjoy life with him.

As his health began to fail in recent years, he endured crisis after crisis with Faith, humor and perseverance. Shirley was always at his side, assisted by his friend Bryce Creamer; his family and neighbors rallied him from death many times. He truly felt a love and respect that he might not have known earlier in his life: it sustained and nourished him like no other medicine could. His life touched a multitude of people, and his heritage will live in us always; no one who ever met him was not a better person for it.

A mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 1:30 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. James Reymann and Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating. Military Honors will be conducted Saturday at the funeral home by the United Veterans Council. Burial will be Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.


Friends may visit on Friday, March 5, 2010 from 4-8 PM at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home and on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 11:30-12:30 PM at the funeral home.


Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Calvert Catholic Schools, or Habitat for Humanity.


Letters of condolence may be sent, and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.