Gerald "Jerry" H. Reininga

Gerald “Jerry” H. Reininga, 73, passed away on August 20, 2016 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. Jerry was born on January 28, 1943 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Elmer and Delores Miller Reininga. He graduated from F. J. Reitz High School and attended both the University of Evansville and Ivy Tech.

Following in the family tradition of heavy equipment operating and construction, Jerry was a proud Life Member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 181 with his 50-year pin. He worked on projects all over the tri-state area, including power plants, dams, I-64 and the Lloyd Expressway. The stories he shared of the projects he, his father, and grandfather worked on and the people they worked with were a colorful reflection of the growth and development of the Evansville community over the past hundred years.

He enjoyed bird watching, computers, cooking, fishing, genealogy, photography, a special dune buggy project, watching old westerns, woodworking, welding, and spending time with friends and family. His travels included trips to Alaska, Costa Rica, the Grand Teton Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park and Prince Albert Park.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol J. Reininga, of Chapel Hill, NC; three children: Jana Cartwright and husband Tony, of Boonville, IN; Jeffery Reininga and wife Teresa, of Henderson, KY; and Jennifer Reininga-Craven and husband Matt, of Durham, NC; grandchildren: Ariel and Jared Cartwright, Sydney and Allyson Reininga, and Adriana and Kathryn Craven; siblings: Jonalee Wiggers, of Louisville, KY, and Debra Reininga, of Houston, TX; sister-in-law: Linda Reininga, of Evansville, IN; and other family and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Mike Reininga, and both parents.

Graveside Services will be held for the family on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Details for a celebration of his life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vanderburgh County Humane Society (P.O. Box 6711, Evansville IN, 47719-6711), including simple donations of dog food, cat food, or volunteer time.

Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com