Gilbert J. Reaume

Gilbert Reaume was born on June 1, 1929 to Robert and Cecilia Reaume. He left us on March 29, 2016, spending just short of 87 years with us all. He loved family, good stories, good jokes, life. He worked for over 15 years as a dairy farmer, then apprenticed with his brother Robert to become a farrier. He did that work with great pride and satisfaction until he was in his 80’s. He and his son Chris worked together for many years and that was a special source of pride for him. He did good work. He told good stories.

He met Janice Turcotte in Dearborn when they were young. They married in June of 1950 and Jan was with him in the hospital every day as he began to say good-bye. He is survived by Jan; children, Jeanne (Don) Van Wieren, Mary Reaume Alvera and Christopher Reaume; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He admired good horses and good horseman and he had a wealth of stories about them. Even in those last days in the hospital, nurses who had once been little girls on horses would recognize him and remember how he had shod their mounts. “Whenever I go to a new barn,” he would say, “I would find out the names of the young kids who worked there. I’d write the names down and always make a point to thank them by name for their help.” They remembered.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 157 High St., Williamston, MI. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Middle St., Williamston, MI. For those desiring, contributions may be made in Gilbert’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Mary Catholic School, 220 N. Cedar St., Williamston, MI 48895. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grwilliamston.com.