Joseph P. Reser
December 16, 2016
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Service Details
Joseph P. Reser, 54, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 16, 2016. Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Thursday, December 22, 2016 with visitation from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and a memorial service at 6:30 p.m.
Joe was born October 2, 1962 in Fort Dodge, Iowa and grew up in Des Moines. He attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated from Dowling High School in 1981. He then attended the University of Iowa, becoming a life-long Hawkeye fan before transferring to Iowa State University and graduating in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He worked as a chemist for many years at Qualis and was currently employed at Weeks & Leo.
Joe loved sports! He played football and baseball at Dowling. He played and later coached at Raccoon Valley Little League for more than 20 years. He played adult league baseball with MIBL, and served on the board. He played in the annual MSBL World Series in Arizona for 22 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting deer and turkey, canoeing and bicycling. Joe enjoyed Octoberfest, playing poker, bartending Friday nights at Greenwood Lounge, and being with family and friends.
He is survived by his brothers, Ed (Holly), Phil (Esther) and John (Dawn) Reser; his sisters, Roberta Shuey, Mary Kay Reser, and Patti (Greg Joura) Reser; his nieces and nephews, Sara (Jim) Tasler, Brian (Andrea) Reser, Abby (Joe Mertzig) Reser, Annie (Clark) Reser-Moorehead, Amelia, Lillian, Sam and Madeline Browning, Aubrey and Jack Reser and Mick Joura; great-nieces and nephews, Konrad, Loralei, Mason and Katelyn; and his companion, Teresa Schutte. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Ruth Reser; and brothers, Doug and Larry Reser.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Raccoon Valley Little League or to Dowling Catholic High School. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Cecil White
12/22/2016
I recently reconnected with Joe about 5 years ago...I helped coach him @ St Johns many yrs ago. I found him to be a very kind & generous man. We shared humor & sincerity....My Condolences to the Family...He was A Very Special Person!
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John Coppi
12/22/2016
Praying for the Reser family in these trying times. May god bless all during these challenging days...
Dick and Roxi Downing
12/22/2016
Our deepest sympathy to the Reser family. Our hearts are sadden over his untimely loss. Joe worked for us for many years and we were quite fond of him. He was an exceptional individual, could always be counted on, and a friend to all. He will be deeply missed.
Paul Negley
12/22/2016
I played softball both with and against Joe many times over the years and I always enjoyed his competitive spirit during the game and fun loving personality afterwards. His loss leaves a big hole down the 3rd base line. My condolences to all his family, friends, and teammates. "Pn"
Richard McKeon (humphdg@yahoo.com)
12/22/2016
I hope the Reser family can overcome the untimely loss of Joe during the holiday. I remember Joe always talking about his family. I was fortunate to have met many members of his family and my thoughts are with you. I appreciated that Joe came to my brother Brian McKeons funeral in March of this year. I wish I could have been at the funeral today. Joe was always fun to be around and we never had cross words between ourselves. We were hunting together when he shot his first pheasant. We had fun together traveling to England and the 2002 Winter Olympics. He played a hysterically funny practical joke on several people at the closing ceremony. God bless and Rest in Peace Joe.
Laura Norian
12/22/2016
To the Reser family, loved ones and friends my deepest condolences. I will miss Joe's smile, he shared it with everyone. You could not help but smile every time you saw him. My heart aches for everyone he touched.
Leslee Cran
12/22/2016
Joe lived life LARGE! He put people first, always had a warm smile and listening ear, followed his passions & shared them with others. Just like the Reser family, Joe was an exceptional person you felt blessed to know. May memories of him continue to ripple through hearts.
Susan Limke Oler
12/22/2016
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Thoughts and prayers, for family and friends.
John Gering
12/21/2016
"The resurrected body shall be of that size which it either attained or should have attained in the flower of its youth, and shall enjoy the beauty that arises from preserving symmetry and proportion among all its members." (Saint Augustine)
Doug Adamson
12/21/2016
I am so deeply saddened by Joe's sudden passing. The world will be a lot quieter and boring with his unexpected departure. I always enjoyed making it back to the "Wood" when in town and spending time with Joe. He did a great job of bringing me up to speed on the neighborhood news. I enjoyed reliving a half century of memories through his stories. Some events were a little bit more embellished than others but nobody cared as it made them more interesting even if at their expense. But that's Joe.
I especially have found memories of the decade we spent at Raccoon Valley as we raised ourselves. I was thankful that Joe was able to provide the same escape as a coach to other children. He loved coaching and he impacted a lot of kids' lives.
It is so hard to not be emotional as Jesus wept when told of the the loss of his friend, Lazarus. Joe had many friends and my life is better because I was privileged to call him my friend.
I really wish that I could be there but wasn't able to make it happen. So please toast one to Joe at the Wood for me and tell lots of stories. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Ben, Nancee and Eric Sorenson
12/21/2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Reser family at this time of such a difficult loss. What an accomplished person Joe was, loved and revered by family and friends.
Chris Douglas
12/21/2016
I am thankful that I knew Joe. We worked together at Qualis. He was a skilled Chemist, wonderful storyteller, and very funny. We had many laughs in that little lab. I am shocked and sadden to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathy to the Reser family.
Lisa Downing Lanier
12/21/2016
I knew Joe from Qualis and of course the Greenwood. He always had a kind word and smile on his face. May he rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to all of his friends and family.
MIke Hatten
12/21/2016
Knew Joe from Qualis,
Weeks & Leo and the Greenwood.
Tragic loss for his friends and family. Was one of the truly
good guys. Very talented chemist and technician. Everybody liked Joe. Always in a good mood as far as I ever knew. Will miss you Buddy. R.I.P
Melinda Near
12/21/2016
I am so sorry Joe is gone. I can't imagine how his family feels. I haven't seen Joe in awhile but hearing the news of his passing has affected me profoundly. He was a beautiful man because he was always kind and always smiled. He listened and made people feel important. He was rare and as sad as I am I'm happy I knew him. He will be deeply missed.