REICHLE
Jake Alan Reichle passed away at the age of 69 at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan on Dec. 10. He was a longtime resident of New Ulm. Jake was born Dec. 4, 1952 in Houston to Lawrence Alfred and Wilma (Roeder) Reichle. He had three siblings: Merle Yenny, Larry Reichle, and Marlene Leopold. Jake was married to the love of his life, Kim Arnold Reichle, on Mar. 24, 1979. Together they raised his son, Jason Alan Reichle.
Jake graduated from Spring Woods High School in Houston in 1971 and was drafted into the U.S. Army on Mar. 4, 1973. He was in the 82nd Airborne and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA. Jake was an expert marksman and completed eight weeks of Armor Recon Specialist training. He was released from active duty and returned to state control as a member of the Army National Guard of Texas to complete his remaining service obligation of five years and three months. His final honorable discharge date was Nov. 30, 1978.
Jake attended San Jacinto Junior College to pursue his career as an electrician. He worked for HL&P and Brown Electric, but the majority of his 30-plus year career was spent with San Bernard Electric. He retired from San Bernard Electric in February 2015.
Jake enjoyed playing the guitar and singing, fishing, playing dominoes, preparing food for family and friends and barbequing. He spent a lot of time with his family and friends enjoying the outdoors at the places he loved, his home in New Ulm, in Sargent, and in Granite Shoals on Lake LBJ.
If you knew Jake, you knew how he could make a solemn occasion funny. He had a quick wit that could bring a room to a roar of laughter. He also could play guitar, sing a song and put you at ease. Jake never met a stranger and you always felt welcome. If his grandkids and their friends were around you can rest assured he had snacks in hand, usually Skittles, and a drink. He loved his sweets almost as much as his girls. He loved to spend time at the lake “Camp Reichle” with his grandkids and their friends. He also spent time with his “neighbors”, Jack and Pam Cloat and their kids Emily and Wayne, even after they moved and was proud to watch their children grow up and become adults having families of their own. Besides Kim, Jake had one other love in his life and that was his son Jason. He enjoyed spending time with him whenever he could, whether at the lake, barbecuing, and just playing dominoes.
Jake Alan Reichle was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Alfred Reichle and his father-in-law, Nick Arnold.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Kim Reichle; his beautiful granddaughters Haylee and Paige Reichle, son Jason Alan Reichle and wife Ursula of Castroville; mother Wilma Reichle of Buda; mother-in-law Janis Arnold of Columbus; sister Merle and husband Bill Yenny of Buda; Larry Reichle of Giddings; Marlene and husband Mike Leopold of New Ulm; brother-in-law Mike Arnold and fiancé Kayann Deavers of Ellinger; aunt Lucille Warnken of La Grange; aunt Iva Wolff of La Grange, nephews Larry “Bubba” Reichle, Clayton Arnold, Justin Yenny, Russell Yenny, Mitchel Leopold, Marcus Leopold, and his nieces, Amy Madson, Amanda Reichle, Carrie Arnold, Katie D’Englere, Macy Leopold.
Services for Jake Alan Reichle were Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. Visitation was Tuesday, prior to the service,also at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. There were no graveside services. Pastor J. Paul Bruhn officiated.
Pallbearers were Jack Cloat, Wayne Cloat, Chris Parks, Matt Arthur, Ray Klatt, and Charlie Tipps.
Honorary pallbearers were Bill Yenny, Mike Arnold, David Hansen, Ronnie Klatt, Howard Henson, Randy Estep, Dominic Sodolak, Ben Rosenbaum along with Jake’s nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.