George M. Reutter

in this obituary.

George’s humility and sense of humor were surpassed only by his

dedication to his family, his country, and his faith. George married “the most

beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on”, the former Mary Catherine

VanDeVyvere, who preceded him in death after 65 years of marriage.

Together they raised 9 children; Margaret Hopkins (John), Mary Snow

(Doyle), Betti Kalahurka (Bill), Cathy Novogoratz (David), Martha Phillips

(Terry), Janice Greene (David), John Reutter (Carmen), Thom Reutter

(Jenny), and Patty DeRubertis (Pat); 28 grandchildren and 26 great

grandchildren. They are a large family, raised rich in love for one another

and life’s simple pleasures.

George G. and Anne Ahern Reutter gave birth to George Michael on July

15, 1925 in Kansas City, KS and raised him in the Catholic tradition of

service. He graduated from Rockhurst High School and joined the US Navy

during World War II. After serving on the USS Onslow and at the US Naval

Base in Bremerton, WA, he received the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic

Pacific Area Campaign Medal-4 stars, and the American Area Campaign

Medal. At the end of WWII, he returned to Kansas City to serve as Parts

Department Manager for Greenlease and later Major Cadillac Dealerships.

Post retirement, he chauffeured limousines for McGilley Funeral Homes and Acme Livery Service.

George’s service to church and community played out in the Westport area

for most of his 91 years. A man of deep faith, he attended church weekly

and prayed the Rosary nightly. He was an active member of Guardian

Angels Catholic Church. He was an usher at mass, a member of the Holy

Name Society, and recipient of the Bishop’s Award. He served as a

Eucharistic Minister to shut-ins and helped with building maintenance. He

worked as a groundskeeper for the church and for many neighbors in the

Westport community. He and Mary were active members in the Westport

Roanoke Crime Watch. He went above and beyond to clean up graffiti,

pick up litter, and hang birdhouses. George loved riding his scooter through

the hood almost as much as he enjoyed surveying the slow moving parade

of characters from his front porch chair while smoking his pipe. Neighbors

will miss his watchful eye.

George’s legacy lives on in his loving family. For a good deal on his old

Cadillac, call his favorite son-in-law, Doyle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Guardian Angels Church, 1310 Westport Rd. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation at the church from 9-10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Heartland Honor Flight, Attn. Donations, P.O. Box 843930, Kansas City, MO 64184-3930.