Lewis Reifel, 88

Lewis C. Reifel, 88, of Pioneer passed away early Tuesday morning at the Community Hospitals and Wellness Center in Bryan.  He was born on September 25, 1925 in Pioneer to Charles Marion and Mary Virginia (Laser) Reifel.  Lewis graduated from Pioneer High School in 1943.  He went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp during WWII and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima.  He married Doris Melinda Bernath, and she preceded him in death on October 17, 2001.

Lewis was a member of the Pioneer United Methodist Church, the Pioneer American Legion #307 and the Pioneer VFW.  In 1985 he retired from ARO Corp in Bryan after 25 years.  He was also a poultry farmer for approximately 25 years, raising thousands of chickens in Pioneer.

He is survived by one son, Thomas (Kathy) Reifel of Pioneer; one daughter, Anne (Keith) Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Katie Wells, Lindsey Evenson, Jackie Robota and David Miller; and two great grandchildren, Shaelee and Keegan Wells.

Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, wife Doris and one brother Paul Reifel.

Visitation for Lewis will be on Friday April 11th from 12-2pm at the Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer.  Services will be at 2pm at the funeral home with Nelson Rupp to officiate.  Interment will follow at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer with military rites provided by the Pioneer Veterans.  Donations may be made to the Pioneer United Methodist Church.