Frank Ellis Reed

Frank Ellis Reed, 90, of Normal, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Frank was born on January 12, 1935, at his family’s farm in Edgar County, Allerton, Illinois. He was the sixth child of Frank P. and Esther (Alley) Reed.

Frank was raised on the family farm in Potomac, Illinois, where he graduated from high school. He started his sales career in Potomac selling IH farm equipment and Ford automobiles. He sold his first new car in September of 1959 and continued his career in auto sales/management for 53 years. He worked at Douglas Oldsmobile-Pontiac-GMC-Dodge in Clinton, Illinois for 21 years before retiring in 2012. He cherished the relationships he built through selling cars, saying it was a way to turn customers into friends and friends into customers. Over his long career in sales and management, he received numerous awards. Most memorably, he received one of the very first Ford Falcons ever built. But above all, the most important part of Frank’s life was his relationship with Jesus Christ. After being baptized in 1977, he spoke often about how his Savior transformed his life, and he shared that hope and faith with many others.

He married Sharon Wilson on November 3, 1973 in Lincoln, Illinois. She survives, along with his children: Mike (Valerie) Reed of Ft. Myers, Florida, Jeff (Lisa) Reed, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, JeanAnn Pumphrey, of Oakwood, Illinois and Nicole (Pete) Wiedman, of Normal, Illinois. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amanda (Hector) Gomez, Jennifer (Ashley) Price, Lindsay Reed, Jake Reed, Taylor Reed, Zakaia (Shelby) Pumphrey, Skyler (Emma) Pumphrey, Jackson Sinnes, Layla Wiedman, Kai Wiedman, Karis Wiedman, and great grandchildren Adon Gomez, Emerson Gomez, Oston Gomez, and Oakley Price. His sister Marilyn Boen also survives, along with his sisters-in-law: Susan Reed, Sue Reed, Diana Reed, Mary Higdon and Kathy Cantrell, brother-in-law Bud Wilson, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Rosalind Reed, a son, Daniel Reed, brothers: Joe, Albert, Kenneth, Harold, and Ralph Reed, sisters: Margaret Gernand and Dorothy Ellis, brothers-in-law: Ted Gernand, Bob Ellis, Bill Boen, Mike Wilson, Doug Wilson, and Bob Fuhrman and great granddaughter Evah Gomez.

Frank was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and college basketball, always ready to cheer on his favorite teams. He and Sharon shared a love of travel—whether by car, train, plane, or cruise ship. While they treasured trips to Alaska and the Caribbean, Colorado held a special place in Frank’s heart. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of fishing, gardening, yard games, and a good game of euchre. In recent years, nothing made him happier than watching his grandchildren play sports. A lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, Frank was most devoted to his church family, serving faithfully as a member and volunteer at Eastview Christian Church since 1981.

Visitation will be held at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 10:00 - 11:30am. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow, with Rev. Rich Bersett officiating. Interment after the service will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington, IL.

Memorials may be made to Eastview Christian Church.