James O. Reiter

James Reiter, 62, of Frankfort, died Thursday, April 8, 2010, at his home. A rosary service was held Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 12, at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Anthony Putti officiated. Jane Sedlacek played the organ while the church choir and Frankfort Wildcat Choir sang “Here I Am Lord”, “Amazing Grace”, “On Eagles Wings”, “Song of Farewell” and “I Have Loved You”. The pallbearers were Joe Kelly, Mike Morris, Vince Kelly, Greg Thomas, Rick Schwartz and Greg Wassenberg. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Frankfort. The Topeka Police Department and the Frankfort American Legion provided graveside military rites. James was born January 22, 1948 at Marysville, KS, son of Omer Reiter and Clara (Wessel) Reiter. He grew up on a farm near Lillis. He attended grade school at Lillis and graduated from Frankfort High School in 1966. From 1967-1972 he served in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Sergeant. During this time he served in Guam and Vietnam where he was stationed in Phang Rang, PhuKat & Ben Tuoy. This was followed by a tour at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Ne. During his military service he received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, VietNam Service Medal with four bronze stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon and Republic of VietNam Campaign Medal. Upon leaving the military, Jim joined the Topeka Police Department in 1972 serving in the crime scene investigation unit. He retired as Corporal in December of 1997. In August of 1999, Jim and his wife, Joan moved back to his hometown of Frankfort living in the home his parents and grandparents had retired in. He became the Frankfort Chief of Police. Survivors include his wife, Joan; son, Roy Richardson of Grand Forks, ND; two daughters, Angela Thomas and husband Greg of Las Vegas, NV, Lisa Schwartz and husband Rick of Topeka, KS; four grandchildren, Vince Kelly, Cheyenne, WY, Joe Kelly, Topeka, Ryan Richardson and Conner Richardson, Grand Forks, ND; sister, Dorothy Wassenberg and husband Steve of Woodbridge, VA; two nephews, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated by the family at a later time. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James O. Reiter, please visit our flower store.