Philip Osborn Reidenbach

Philip Osborn Reidenbach, age 90, went peacefully to be with his Lord at home on February 1, 2013 with his beloved family by his side.

Phil was born on March 10, 1922, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Elmer Clyde Reidenbach and Marjorie Mae Osborn Reidenbach. He married Glennis Ilene Birkey on December 24, 1942. They were married for 69 years and lived in Bremen, IN, until October 2011 when they moved to Conway, SC, to live with their daughter.

Phil moved to Bremen in 1940. After graduating from high school, he attended Indiana Central College in Indianapolis (now known as the University of Indianapolis) and Curtis-Wright Technical Institute in California. He worked as an aeronautical engineer for 45 years at Bendix Corporation in South Bend. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was stationed in Saipan as a fire control gunner on a B-29.

Phil was very active in the community where he was a member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, serving as both President and Vice President. He helped found the successful Popcorn for Profit fundraiser and the travelogue program at the high school. In his later years, he served as Club Historian.

He also was active on the Library Board during their fundraising activities for a new building.

Phil was a founding member of the Community Hospital of Bremen Foundation and was its first President. He was a hospital board member for many years and served as the interim Hospital Administrator for 9 months. He and Glennis coordinated the Mile of Pennies fundraiser. In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, Phil was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2012 by the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.

Phil was also very active in his church holding many offices such as Chairman and member of the Pastor Parish Committee, Lay Leader - attending the North Central Conference each spring for over 30 years, Sunday School Teacher for over 40 years, and Chairman and member of many other committees that served the church. Most recently he served on the committee to oversee the merger of Grace United Methodist church and Salem United Methodist Church. Of special importance to him was his work with the Bemen Holy Walk during the Christmas holidays. As an extension of his church service, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Indiana Central College in Indianapolis for 13 years.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, beloved grandfather, doting "Big Grandpa", loyal friend, and man of strong Christian faith.

He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Glennis; and sister, Sara Reidenbach Ginder. Survivors include his three children, daughter, Susan (Dennis) Wiseman of Conway, SC; sons Richard (Barbara) of Indianapolis, IN; and Steve (Mary) of Bremen, IN; six grandchildren, Lynn (Dan) Rodenbeck; David (Trish) Reidenbach; Matthew (Sarah) Wiseman; Andrew Wiseman; Erica Reidenbach, and Kelly Reidenbach; nine great-grandchildren, Michael, Jonathan and Hannah Darst; Sam and Ella Reidenbach; Alexis, Bailey, Carson and Devlin Wiseman; and one sister Esther Reidenbach Fleener.

The family is indebted to the many professionals of Mercy Care Hospice and Griswold Home Health Care in Myrtle Beach, SC, who gave him special care and comfort during his decline in health.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, February 9, at Bremen United Methodist Church, Bremen, IN. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 pm Friday at the Mishler Funeral Home in Bremen.

Memorials may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. (adpaparkinson.org), Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305; UMCOR (umcor.org) PO Box 9068, NY, NY 10087-9068; Bremen United Methodist Church Mission Fund, 302 W. Plymouth St., Bremen, IN 46506, or Mercy Care Hospice, 8216 Devon Ct., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.

Mishler Funeral Home, Bremen, IN, is in charge of arrangements.