Visitation:
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016, at
Lincoln Christian Church,
Service:
5 p.m. Thursday at the Church
Funeral home: Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home
Obituary
Michael James (Mike) Reid, 49, of Lincoln;
formerly of Lawrenceville, unexpectedly made his
final journey to the next life on Tuesday, November
8, 2016.
Mike was born in Lawrenceville on July 24, 1967, to
Jim and Dianne Ernst Reid. He was Valedictorian of
Lawrenceville High School’s class of 1985 and
received a Bachelor of Arts degree in counseling
from Johnson Bible College in Tennessee, graduating
Magna Cum Laude. He went on to complete a Master of
Library Science in Information Services from the
University of Illinois and a Master of Arts in
Philosophy and Theology from Lincoln Christian
University. A true bibliophile, Mike loved his
career as Assistant Librarian at Lincoln Christian
University. He had published several articles in his
field, some in collaboration with his colleague and
supervisor, Nancy Olson.
An avid comic collector and geek culture enthusiast,
Mike was a man with many interests, who read nearly
anything he could get his hands on. He was a
lifelong learner, always seeking knowledge and
understanding and investigating new ideas. His
jokes, discussions of life, and wit will be long
remembered by all who knew him.
Mike married his long tine friend, Julie Gregory
Reid Young in 1988. During their 17 years of
marriage, his children Nathaniel James Reid, 21, of
Carbondale, and Kara Madelaine Reid, 16, of Salem
were born. His children were the light of his life
and the most important people in his life.
He married a very good friend, his love and life
partner, Ruth Maloney Halpin Reid on June 27, 2015.
They created a loving home for their blended family.
Mike’s absence from this life will be felt by his
wife and family as well as friends, colleagues, and
acquaintances worldwide. |
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Mike is survived by his wife, Ruth, his children,
Nathaniel and Kara, and step-children Michael
(Casey), Shannon, and Cameron Halpin of Lincoln.
Other survivors include his father Jim (Sherrie)
Reid of Texas, his step-father Leslie Harlan of
Lawrenceville, siblings Jim (Georgia) Harlan, Dennis
Harlan, Steven (William) Harlan, Laura (Terry)
Lawrence, Jeff (Laurie) Reid, Janet Harlan,
Jeannette Harlan, John (Theresa) Reid, Heather
(Jesse) Schernekau, and Amy (J.D.) Dolkey, as well
as countless nieces, nephews, and other extended
family members.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dianne
Harlan, and his grandparents, Harry and Marguerite
Waltrip and Charles and Lola Reid.
Mike was a selfless, loving, amazing man and will
leave a void in the world he leaves behind. He made
our world a better place for all of us.
Funeral services will be held in Lincoln on
Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Lincoln Christian
Church, 204 North McLean St. Visitation will be from
3 to 5 pm, with a funeral service immediately
following. A second service and burial will be held
Friday, November 18, 2016, in Lawrenceville, IL, at
First Christian Church on State Street. Visitation
will be held from 12 to 2, immediately followed by a
funeral service and burial service. Mike's remains
will rest at Lawrenceville Cemetery.
Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home in Lincoln has
been entrusted with his care.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the
family of Michael James 'Mike' Reid |