James Bernard Reineke

James Bernard Reineke passed away on November 25, 2023, at the age of 85 with his sisters at his side. Born on July 29, 1938, James "Jim" Reineke, was the son of Florence McCartney and Linus L Rieneke. Jim was keen on fishing from a young age. His father Linus often took him to fish at Little Stony Lake and other fishing places. These first experiences of fishing became a lifelong passion, and for many years Jim was a member of the Merickel Farley Trout Club.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim attended St. Teresa Catholic School, and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1957. Four years after completing high school, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army and stayed in the Army Reserves until 1967.

Jim met the love of his life, Linda Lovejoy, in 1964 at Wamplers Lake, where he and his buddy Bob Putman had gone to waterski. When Jim walked past Linda for the first time, he could not resist splashing water on her, and that is how their relationship began. The following year, Jim proposed to Linda, and they were married at St. Pius X Church on May 1, 1965.

The couple shared a love of dogs, and over the years they raised six Labradors: Kelly, Spike, Daisy, Jenny, Smokey, and McGee, all of whom were trained as hunting dogs. These dogs accompanied Jim on numerous duck hunting trips in brutal conditions across Ohio, Michigan, Canada and elsewhere. Much like fishing, hunting became another of Jim's lifelong passions.

Although Jim and Linda had no children, they were loving and supportive Godparents to many individuals. For several young guys in the neighborhood, Jim was a father figure who looked after them, taught them how to fish and hunt, and how to be a decent person.
Jim had a strong work ethic and held several jobs, starting with a part-time job at A & P grocery store as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Jim worked full-time as a driver for Seaway Beverage. He then worked for the City of Toledo in the Steets, Bridges, and Harbor Division for 16 years, before retiring.

Jim is predeceased by his parents Florence and Linus L Reineke, his wife of fifty-three years Linda Lovejoy Reineke and brother Linus Reineke and wife Carol. Those left to remember Jim include sister Janice Zachman, sister Mary and husband Budd Schuldt, and many nephews and nieces.

Family and friends will be received at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 6149 Hill Ave in Toledo, Ohio on Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 9:00 AM until the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment with military honors will be held at Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville, OH. A luncheon will follow at Reynolds Garden Café, 1220 S. Reynolds Rd. Toledo, OH 43615.