Michael Conover Reeb, 87
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 1 hour, 48 minutes AGO
Michael Conover “Mike” Reeb passed away peacefully July 28 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was born in Evanston, Ill., to Carl and Ann Berger Reeb.
After attending Highland Park (Illinois) High School he came west to attend the University of Idaho to fulfill his dream of being a forester. He joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and met Joy Edwards at the university. Mike graduated with a degree in forestry in 1961 and he and Joy were married that summer. He worked briefly for BLM in Boise, then joined the Idaho Department of Lands in Orofino, Idaho. Mike hunted, fished, trapped and was president of the Orofino Jaycees.
In 1971, he was promoted to area supervisor at Sandpoint. He was president of the Sandpoint Lions Club and served 50 years in the club, becoming a life member and grand marshal of their parade. He served on the board of Northside Water users and was an avid gardener.
Mike was proud of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching their games, as well as fishing and hunting with them. They will remember with laughter his grandpa stories.
He enjoyed history, especially the Civil War, and didn’t miss many battlefields. He and Joy traveled the United States and Europe, tracing their family roots. Mike was member of the Reeb Family Association and researched and wrote extensively about the Reeb name in Alsace. After he retired, they traveled the Northwest, researching the fur trade. Mike wrote two books on the fur trade: "Inland Salish Journey” and “Upper Columbia Fur Trade.”
He is survived by his wife, Joy, of 65 years; daughter, Julie (Jim) King; son, Carl (Victoria) Reeb; grandsons, Jason (Liz) King, Jacob (Jessicia) King and Jackson (Alix) Reeb; granddaughter, Allison Reeb; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Reeb; and sister, Judy (Herman) Memmelaar.
There will be private family celebration of life, and arrangements handled by Coffelt Funeral Services.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864.
Family and friends are invited to sign Michael's online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.