Leo Howard Reeves

Leo Howard Reeves, 79, of Davenport, passed away at his home on Sunday, June 12, 2011 with his wife by his side. Following cremation, in keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or service. The Runge Mortuary is assisting the family with final arrangements.

He was born December 5, 1931 in Rockville, Indiana, the son of Leo and Mary (Elder) Reeves, one of eight children. He attended Greencastle High School and Palmer Junior College, studying English literature and American History in preparation for the ministry.

Leo enlisted in the U.S.Army on December 5, 1947. He served in the Korean Conflict for two years in General MacArthur’s Honor Guard in Tokyo and made the grade of Corporal.

On July 7, 2001 he married Carol Birkhahn in the Rose Garden at Vander Veer Park.

He was a bus driver for the City of Davenport for eight years. Later he was the owner/operator/truck driver for Leo and Carol Reeves C&H Lines and retired from Atlas Van Lines in 1994.

While living in Arizona, Leo played piano and had his own country music band called the Road Runners consisting of bass, steel guitar, drum and piano. He was an entertainer who produced his own thirty minute television program, featuring his own band.

He was a member of Hamilton Lodge #664, AF&AM in Bettendorf, having become a Mason in May of 1986. His hobbies included reading, especially Westerns, and he enjoyed playing piano, listening to Country and Western Music, and riding his scooter on the bike path. Leo won the Entertainer of the Year award from the Arizona Country and Western Music Association.

Survivors include his loving wife, Carol and five children from a previous marriage, grandchildren, and a sister, Gladys of Arizona; a niece Linda of New York, and his best friend, Gary Hood of Prescott Valley, Arizona, who played steel guitar in Leo’s band. He was preceded in death by a daughter, his parents, three brothers and three sisters.