Paul Reed

Paul Raymond Reed, 89, of Lafayette died at St. Elizabeth East Hospital in Lafayette Wednesday June 4, 2014. Paul was born November 25, 1924 in Kentland, IN., the son of the late William R. and Florence Irene (O'Neil) Reed. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Meinad SPH High School, St. Meinrad, IN. On August 16, 1948 he married Velma A. Ringle in Sacred Heart Church, Fowler, daughter of Leo and Minnie Ringle of Fowler, IN. Mr. Reed was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, World War II, and was a member of the American Legion Post 11 of Lafayette. Living in fowler, he worked at Conrad's Bakery; owned Paul's Donut Shop and Reed's LP Gas and Appliances. He was a pressman for the Benton Review, and an operator of a Meihle Flat Bed Press. He moved to Lafayette, IN. in 1953 and worked as a draw bench operator for Alcoa, and as a Large Chief Offset Press operator for Commercial Printing for twenty years. In 1962 he became a member of the St. Vincent Society of St. Mary Cathedral Parish. Along with his wife, they opened the St. Vincent DePaul Store on Wabash Ave. on July 6, 1963. They closed the store on October 14, 2006 due to deteriorating health. Paul joined the staff the staff of the Stewardship & Development Office for the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, Fruitful Harvest Division in 1990 until 2011 as a data processor for the Fruitful Harvest and Diocesan Seminary Fund. The Knights of Columbus, Indiana State Council selected Mr. Reed as the Outstanding Catholic Layman Award for the State of Indiana (1970-1971). In 1973, Paul, along with his wife Velma Reed were selected as George Award Winners by the Journal and Courier. They were the first husband and wife to win this prestigious award given by the Journal and Courier. Mr. Reed was involved with St. Mary Cathedral as a faithful member since 1953. He was involved as a collection counter, Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister and Mass Server. Surviving with his wife are sons Kevin of Battle Ground; Keith (wife Margaret "Penny") of Lafayette; granddaughters Emily Arnold (husband Chad) and Sarah Beth Reed; and great-grandsons, Colten and Mason of Lafayette and by two sisters, Rosemond Pietron of Omaha, NE and Mary Lou (husband Thomas) Potts of Rensselear, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Bernard "Bud"; Kenneth "Pete"; Donald "Bumbo"; William, Jr. "Bill"; and Robert "Bob"; and by sisters -in-law, Catherine and Lois Reed ; a brother-in-law, Arnold Pietron and nephew David Pietron. Friends may call from 2:00 PM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 PM Monday in St. Mary Cathedral, with Concelebrants Bishop Emeritus William L. Higi and Fr. Jeff Martin, officiating. The interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 11. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 56 Progress Parkway, St. Louis Mo. 63043-3706. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com