Reuben J. Rheault
BOOTJACK – Reuben J. Rheault, 86, lifelong Bootjack farmer, passed away on February 18, 2017, at the home in which he was born and lived his entire life.
He was born on March 15, 1930, a son of Albert and Olivine (Codere) Rheault.
Reuben’s education began at the Sarazin School. Being born crippled, his transportation was a pony and buggy provided by the Thielman Lumber Co. During school hours, the pony was tended by William and Regina Sarazin. Reuben later attended St. Joseph Grade School and Lake Linden-Hubbell High School with the class of 1949.
In 1953, he bought his first set of farm equipment and launched his potato growing career, continuing 32 years until his health no longer allowed him to do so.
He co-owned Rheault Farms and Trucking with his son Dan, again stopping due to ill health.
Reuben was a member and past-president of the Houghton County Agricultural Society, receiving numerous awards including Young Farmer Award and Master Farmer Award. In 1966, Rheault Farms received the Michigan State Centennial Farm Award.
He was a member and past treasurer of the Lake Linden Sportsmen’s Club, member of the Knights of Columbus, member of the Lake Linden Lions Club, for which he played “Santa” to the children for many years.
Reuben was a founding father of the Bootjack Fire Department and served for over 40 years.
He was baptized in and was lifelong member of St. Joseph Church, where he was an usher for many years and a Eucharistic Minister.
Reuben is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; and his children, Dan (Patty), Sue, all of Bootjack and Judy; eight grandchildren, Michelle, Natasha, Cathy, Jenny, Jan, Dale, Allen and Katie; ten great-grandchildren, Miranda, Danny, Chloe, Izzy, Ava, Addeline, Abraham, Abagael, Grace and Violet; and two nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by a still-born son; son, Jim; grandson, Daniel Paul II; his parents, Albert and Olivine (Codere) Rheault; brothers, Raymond and Oliver; a son-in-law, Jan Strieter; one niece and one nephew.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden with Fr. Joseph Boakye Yiadom to officiate. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.. on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden with a parish prayer service at 7:30.
Burial will be at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.
Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com.