Dr. John Reel

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dr. John R. Reel, 77, of Harrisburg, died at 11:14 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at his residence in Harrisburg.

John was born on Feb. 16, 1932, in Harrisburg to the late Dr. Earl and Gertrude (Jones) Reel. After his father passed away, he was raised by his stepfather, Frank Roper. On March 31, 1961, he married Gwendolyn Kay Bell and she preceded him in death on Dec. 2, 1979.

Dr. Reel was a graduate of Harrisburg High School in 1949, he graduated from the Washington University School of Dentistry in 1961, and from Washington University School of Orthodontics in 1970.

John maintained a private practice in Belleville for 25 years. During that period he was an associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he taught orthodontics on a graduate level. Dr. Reel, upon retiring and returning to Harrisburg, served as assistant professor and supervising dentist at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale School of Dental Hygiene. Dr. Reel attended McKinley Avenue Baptist Church. He was a Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War.

Surviving family members include two sons, Jeffrey T. Reel and wife Marlaina of Belleville and Michael C. Reel and wife Devanie of Harrisburg; daughter, Cynthia K. Langen and husband Edmund of Belleville; sister, Sue Ellen Barter of Harrisburg; and grandchildren, Nicolas Reel, Matthew Wodjenski, Jack Langen and Madison Langen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Dr. Charles E. Reel.

According to his wish, his body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Dr. Blaine Welker will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Obituary Page at the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.