Roy D. Reichle

ST. HELENA — Roy D. Reichle, 61, St. Helena, was found Feb. 17, 2022, in the Missouri River, near the Discovery Bridge, Cedar County, after being reported missing.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Feb. 25, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church, St. Helena, with the Rev. Eric Olsen officiating.

Burial of his cremated remains will be at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Helena, at a future date.

Visitation with the family will be Friday morning, at church, from 9 a.m. until service time.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Roy Dean was born June 10, 1960, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Karl Eugene and Eloma Lee (Roberts) Reichle. He grew up in Odem, Texas, and graduated from Odem High School in 1978. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Airforce as a computer maintainer. Roy’s career in the military lasted for 20 years, where he served in Germany, Greece and several domestic postings. He was honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1998. Roy married Brenda Kay Perk Oct. 2, 1998, at St. Columbkille Church, Papillion. Roy received an English education degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, in 2005. It was also in 2005, that he and Brenda moved to St. Helena, where he taught at Hartington Cedar Catholic High School for a short time.

Roy worked as a personal trainer for the past 10 years. He had a passion for the outdoors, fitness, rock climbing, hiking, collecting rocks, camping, backpacking, bicycling and photography. He also wrote poetry and belonged to the Nebraska Writers Workshop while living in Bellevue.

Roy belonged to Holy Family Parish in St. Helena, NE.

Roy is survived by his wife, Brenda, St. Helena; two children, Benjamin, Lincoln, and Leah Reichle, St. Helena; step brother, Sam (Kelly) Schumaker, Arizona; step sister, Sandra Humrichouse, Texas; half-sister, Daina (Martin) Cody, Seiverville, Tenn.; half-brother, Kevin (Aleatha) Bierworth, Austin, Texas; and half-sister, Ragenia Krell, Sand Springs, Okla.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Eloma Reichle; step mother, Barbara Schumaker; and step brother, Terry Schumaker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to The Arbor Day Foundation.