Obituary for Rex Dwayne Reittenbach
Rex Dwayne Reittenbach,
AuGres, Michigan,
Formerly of Saginaw.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully Sunday July 31, 2022. Age 89 years. Rex was born July 29, 1933 in Vassar, Michigan to the late Jack Reittenbach and Emma (Williams) O’Brien. He married Phyllis Anne Dougherty, his loving wife of 69 years on June 27, 1953 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Saginaw. She survives him. Together they raised seven children in the Cathedral District of Saginaw, where they were active members of St. Mary’ s Cathedral. Starting his career as a draftsman at Saginaw Steering Gear and with the private practice of Howard Stenglein, Rex joined the firm of Wigen and Tinknell, where he completed his state board certification as an architect. Subsequently, he started his own practice and over a 60 year period, he designed more than 200 churches, office buildings and private residences. In 1995, he and Phyllis moved to their cherished home in AuGres and joined the parish of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, participating as lector and choir member. In his high school years, he was a member of the Saginaw High School marching band and track team and a member of the Highway Vikings Car Club. When his children were younger, he became active in the Saginaw Soap Box Derby, Boy Scouts of America, and the Athletic Club of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Rex was an active golfer, fisherman, bow hunter and a huge fan of the University of Michigan Football.
Surviving besides his wife Phyllis are his seven children, Rita, Richard, (Michelle Schalk-Brady), Joe (Renee Gardner), Patrick (Barbara), Anne ( Ken Anderson), Paul (Jennifer), and Ruth (Michael Garske Sr.); 15 grandchildren, Heather, Jordan, Melissa, Erin, Daniel, Cory, Neil, Nolan, Matthew, Ray, Rianne, Andrew, Michael Jr., Raechel, and David; 26 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Leona Turner and Patricia O’Brien; two half-brothers, Jake and Jerry Reittenbach; many nieces and nephews. Rex was preceded in death by a grandson, Patrick Lee Ross; his stepfather, John W. O'Brien; brother-in-law, Charles Turner; a half- sister, Sally Cianek; and two nephews, Steven and Tom Turner.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2022 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 415 S. Court St., AuGres, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Gerald E. Balwinski will officiate with burial in Sims – Whitney Cemetery. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., Saginaw, Michigan, where the family will be present on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. A Vigil Service will take place 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Mark Catholic Church as a donation to the retired priest retirement fund.
AuGres, Michigan,
Formerly of Saginaw.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully Sunday July 31, 2022. Age 89 years. Rex was born July 29, 1933 in Vassar, Michigan to the late Jack Reittenbach and Emma (Williams) O’Brien. He married Phyllis Anne Dougherty, his loving wife of 69 years on June 27, 1953 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Saginaw. She survives him. Together they raised seven children in the Cathedral District of Saginaw, where they were active members of St. Mary’ s Cathedral. Starting his career as a draftsman at Saginaw Steering Gear and with the private practice of Howard Stenglein, Rex joined the firm of Wigen and Tinknell, where he completed his state board certification as an architect. Subsequently, he started his own practice and over a 60 year period, he designed more than 200 churches, office buildings and private residences. In 1995, he and Phyllis moved to their cherished home in AuGres and joined the parish of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, participating as lector and choir member. In his high school years, he was a member of the Saginaw High School marching band and track team and a member of the Highway Vikings Car Club. When his children were younger, he became active in the Saginaw Soap Box Derby, Boy Scouts of America, and the Athletic Club of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Rex was an active golfer, fisherman, bow hunter and a huge fan of the University of Michigan Football.
Surviving besides his wife Phyllis are his seven children, Rita, Richard, (Michelle Schalk-Brady), Joe (Renee Gardner), Patrick (Barbara), Anne ( Ken Anderson), Paul (Jennifer), and Ruth (Michael Garske Sr.); 15 grandchildren, Heather, Jordan, Melissa, Erin, Daniel, Cory, Neil, Nolan, Matthew, Ray, Rianne, Andrew, Michael Jr., Raechel, and David; 26 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Leona Turner and Patricia O’Brien; two half-brothers, Jake and Jerry Reittenbach; many nieces and nephews. Rex was preceded in death by a grandson, Patrick Lee Ross; his stepfather, John W. O'Brien; brother-in-law, Charles Turner; a half- sister, Sally Cianek; and two nephews, Steven and Tom Turner.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2022 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 415 S. Court St., AuGres, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Gerald E. Balwinski will officiate with burial in Sims – Whitney Cemetery. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd., Saginaw, Michigan, where the family will be present on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. A Vigil Service will take place 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Mark Catholic Church as a donation to the retired priest retirement fund.