Please click on read more to view a recording of Gene's service.

Gene A. Reische, 68, of La Harpe IL passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. He was born December 6, 1953, in Monmouth IL to Oren and Emma (Peterson) Reische. He graduated from Yorkwood High School in 1972 and married the love of his life, Kris Gittings, on June 16, 1974, in La Harpe IL. She survives.

Also surviving are his girls, Charity (Larrick) Allaman of La Harpe IL, Jennifer (Jason) Lofquist of Milan IL, Kayla (Billy) Parry of Carthage IL, April (Matt) Melvin of La Harpe IL, and Samantha Taylor (Jimmy Parsano) of La Harpe IL; grandkids Kellie, Emmalee, and Branden Allaman, Logan Arnold-Lofquist, Will, Jackson, Adeline, and Kason Parry, Lucas Finch, Maddux Froman, Jackson and Joel Parsano; one sister Ann (Tony) Killip of Wataga IL and one brother-in-law Rick Gittings of La Harpe IL. Also surviving is many nieces and nephews and his first great-grandson, due in February 2022, Ricky Jay Alan Allaman.

Gene was a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver for many years. He also was a member of the NRA and the Hancock County Gun Club. Gene also was a Girl Scout leader as long as his girls were in scouting. There was nothing that he would not do for his family.

Gene worked for NTN Bower for 36 years, before retiring in 2009. He then started driving semi in 2010, and then went to work for John Johnson in 2013. He loved his retirement job working for Johnson Sod Farm in Oquawka IL.

Gene was not a church goer he would say, "Why sit in a manmade church when I can sit in the God made timber." He enjoyed the great outdoors rather it be hunting, fishing, or riding four wheelers or working the sod fields. He was highly active in his girls and grandkids lives whether it was supporting them on the ball fields and courts or taking them to sell Girl Scout cookies or teaching them how to shoot and hunt.

Gene is preceded in death by both his parents and siblings, Stevie and Marcia.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 2pm at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in La Harpe with Jerry Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the La Harpe Fire Department or the La Harpe Ambulance.