Joseph P. Reser
December 16, 2016
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.
Jim (Marsh) Masciandaro
12/19/2016
Haven't seen Joe in 17 years, but he was a one-of-a-kind person and our family has nothing but the best memories growing up around him! Still consider Joe a good friend and a better person than many. As it's been pointed out, he was always up to help a friend or for a game of football, basketball... Joe was one of the nicest guys I've ever known! What a tragedy!! Joe will always be missed!!! Our thoughts are with the Reser family, we're all very sorry for your loss!!!!!
Dan Connolly and family
12/19/2016
What a great guy. A genuine friend! He will be dearly missed by all.
Lars Fatland and family
12/19/2016
my prayers and thoughts are with the Reser family.
I am saddened to hear the news, but certainly thankful to have known this great guy and glad he was my friend. I think about the countless hours he devoted to coaching baseball at Raccoon Valley...Thank you Joe for your friendship and contribution to our community-you will be missed .
Lars Fatland &family
Julie Mullins
12/19/2016
Sending prayers to the Reser Family and Teresa. Joe was one of a kind....and he will always be remembered. RIP Joe.
Brian Morris
12/19/2016
Prayers to the entire Reser Family. So many great memories of growing up in the same neighborhood as the Reser clan came back to me over the weekend. What a neighborhood! If it was not a basketball game, it was a football game. If it was not homerun derby, it was an intense whiffle ball game. If it was not game of ditchem, it was playing Monopoly and hearing Joe say Rent! What a true blessing, as we could not have asked for a better way to grow up. Joe was such an important part of all of our childhoods, and know he is smiling down on all of us. Thanks for the Nickname too JoeIt has stuck for 40 + years in the Morris household.RIP my friendFudge
David Long
12/19/2016
A wonderful and caring man. Always a smile and only good things to say about others. And his stories on the kids he coached, well more coaches should have his attitude. It was a pleasure to know this man. My best to his family and especially to T. Go Raiders....
Mark Ver Steeg
12/18/2016
And of course condolences & prayers to the entire Reser family. You will be missed by many Joey
Mark Ver Steeg
12/18/2016
Joey you were a good friend & will be sorely missed. I've been thinking a lot about you this weekend & all the good times we had playing for the Indians @ RV, the Greenwood, & playing fantasy football together . RIP.
Wendy Acri
12/18/2016
My thoughts and prayers to all of the Reser's, Teresa and those who loved and were loved by Joe. He was a class act, a great man who really embraced life always. So many memories....Rest in Peace Joe. Fly High.
Anna Marie Peterson
12/18/2016
My thoughts and prayers to the Reser Family and Teresa...may God Bless....
Jean Paul
12/18/2016
Such sad news. Prayers to the Reser Family. Many good memories going back to the Dowling days. May he Rest in Peace
Lisa Marsh Klein
12/18/2016
I have very fond memories of Joe and send my deepest condolences to the Reser family.
Rex and Kim Nicodemus
12/18/2016
Very sorry for your loss Teresa.
Teresa J Schutte
12/18/2016
My heart aches, I'm speechless. ..
Love you for eternity....
Dewayne Carroll
12/18/2016
It breaks my heart to think Joe is gone. He was such a great person. Joe always had time and love for other people. My thoughts and prayers are with the Reser family.