David N Reed

David N. Reed passed away on February 25, 2015, at home and surrounded by family and friends. He never let it get him down and he kept fighting. Cancer may have taken his body, but it did not take his soul! He was born August 6, 1958 to John “Jack” & Mary “Arlene" (Hines) Reed, in West Salem, Ohio. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1976, continued his education at Akron University and Northwestern University to get his Master’s and become a certified Orthotist and Prosthetist. David worked at Yanke Bionics for more than 35 years. He is survived by his children: daughters Heather Reed and Ashley Reed and son, Paul Reed.  He is also survived by his siblings:  Jim & (wife Nikki) Reed, Marilyn (Reed) & (husband Bob) Houston, Margaret (Reed) & (husband Ken) Santelmann, and Phil & (wife Diane) Reed. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Arlene Reed. John Steinbeck stated "how will we know it is us without our past?" Knowing and embracing his family history was important to David, as was cultivating a passion and appreciation for heritage in his children. He learned to love history in the most American Way, through travels with his immigrant father. David also aspired to learn the skills and craftsmanship of his clock maker grandfather. This desire sparked a hobby that led to the collection and restoration of almost 100 clocks, including some bearing his grandfather's name. These influences molded David into a hard working, supportive, and loving father. Many knew David for his hands: whether he was sculpting prosthetics, building furniture, or repairing antique clocks. But it was his heart that infused life, personality, and love into his work and hobbies. David included his children in his hobbies, raising them in a home surrounded by family heirlooms, photographs, and stories. He nurtured a passion and reverence for understanding the past by taking his children on journeys across the country, experiencing America first hand through history, culture, and nature. David took a unique, personal connection to the past with each child: through Civil War battlefield crawls with Heather, through bargain shopping for antiques at auctions with Ashley, and through antique tractor restoration with Paul. David incorporated a connection to family into every aspect of his life, and made sure that his children, and his descendants, know who they are and where they came from.
Funeral Service will be Wednesday March 4, 2015 @ 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in West Salem with Rev Doug Lewis and Rev. Dave Maly officiating.  Friends will be received at the Matteson  Funeral Home  in West Salem Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8.  Burial in Hazzard Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website @www.mattesonfh.com

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