Nina Jean Reinders

Washington – Nina Cundiff Kirk Reinders, 92, a resident of Morningside of Washington, formerly of East Peoria, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. She was born on February 4, 1929 in Cooksville, a daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Neat) Cundiff. She married Virgil Reinders on December 27, 1957 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on March 14, 2010, after 52 years of marriage.

Also preceding her into the Lord’s presence were her parents; son-in-law, Merlin Kiesewetter; her siblings and their spouses, Paul (Esther) Cundiff, Hazel (Gene) Little, Lucille (Fred) Hackney, Gerry (Jim) Stiles, twin sister, Mina (Don) Shields, and twin infant sisters, Ruby and Ruth Cundiff; sister-in-law, Irene Cundiff; and infant grandson, Timothy Kirk.

Nina is survived by her son, Major Sam Kirk, USMC (Ret.) of Pompano Beach, FL; daughters, Carrie Kiesewetter of Creve Coeur and Robyn (Erin) Wood of Perry, GA; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews including her special nephew, Dennis Stiles of Peoria, who devotedly looked after her in her latter years.

She was a graduate of Northwestern Beauty Academy. She worked as a cosmetologist in the Peoria area for over 50 years, most of those as owner/operator of her own shop in East Peoria, retiring in 2002. Nina was a long time member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, where she served as a greeter, Vacation Bible School teacher, Pioneer Girls Guide, and a member of the Centered in Christ Sunday School Class. She actively supported Child Evangelism Fellowship by hosting Good News Clubs in her home for several years and volunteering at their headquarters in Warrenton, MO.

Nina was also an active 40-year member of the South Side Mission Auxiliary and volunteered for ten years at their Mission Mart. One of her hobbies was collecting Beanie Babies all year to put in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes. With the help of her first cousin, Dallas Neat, she developed a passion for genealogy after discovering that ancestors on both sides of her family had served in the American Revolution and every major U.S. war since. She was a 13-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved her country and enjoyed donating yarn to be crocheted into lap robes for veterans. She was active in local politics, working on campaigns and serving as an election judge for 25 years.

Nina’s children would like to thank the staff of Morningside of Washington for their compassionate and loving care of our precious mom.

Nina's visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Her graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m. also on Saturday at Fondulac Township Cemetery in East Peoria. Pastor Tom Pisano will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church, South Side Mission, or Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois, Inc. at 708 E. Archer Ave. Peoria, IL 61603.

Online condolences may be left for Nina's family at www.remmertfuneralhome.com.