Rev. Reneker, Jr. Obituary (1946 - 2021)

LOUISVILLE - Rev. Clarence Woodrow Reneker, Jr., 74, of Louisville passed away at 9:47 a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Clay County Hospital, in Flora. Clarence Reneker Jr. was born in Camp Hill, PA only son of Clarence and Pearl Reneker. He was called Butch by everyone While in school he enjoyed history and excelled in wrestling Upon graduating from high school, Butch entered into military service by joining the United States Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed at Pease AFB, N.H. where he would soon meet his future bride. Susan Wheeler was a student at Manchester University studying to be a legal secretary when they were set up by mutual friends after both had been stood up. Six months later he would ask for her hand and were married in Susan's hometown of Canaan on March 17, 1967. Two months after, Butch was sent to Sembach AFB, Germany, leaving a new bride to work until she could afford to join him. While stationed there, they bore a son, Aaron on February 4, 1969. They returned to Pease AFB and two years later, Susan gave birth to daughter Andrea at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Butch served his country for 25 years, including 1 years in Vietnam from 1971-1972. He retired from the military at Dyess AFB, TX in 1991. After experiencing retirement for about two years, Butch decided to go into the ministry, having obtained his license to preach while in the military. The family moved to Illinois and Butch became the minister of the Salem United Methodist Church. He continued the ministry for the next 28 years, his last posting being the Louisville UMC only two months prior to his death on 09/02/2021. He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Susan, his Mother and Father, Pearl and Clarence Reneker, Mother and Father-in -Law Ruth and Clifton Wheeler and his Grandparents. Butch is survived by his sister, Sharon Smith (Reneker), Children, Aaron Reneker and Andrea (Jerry) Dawson (Reneker); cousins, Mindy Smith, and Allison Long. Memorial services honoring the life of Butch will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Louisville United Methodist Church in Louisville, and burial of cremains will take place at the Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. The McGriff & Triplett Funeral Home in Louisville is assisting the family with the arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com. . . Memorial Service Louisville United Methodist Church Saturday, October 23, 2021 10:00 AM Email Details 435 Chestnut Street Louisville, IL 62858 Directions Services 825 Chestnut St Louisville,Illinois 62858 United States