Martin Junior Reed 90, left this world Jan. 26, 2013 to be reunited with the love of his life. Junior, as he was called, was born Aug. 21, 1922 in California, Mo. When he was a small child his family moved to Sedalia, Mo. and except for his years of military service he lived his entire life in Sedalia.

Junior married Mary Frances Dedrick, on December 24, 1949 in Sedalia. Not long into their married life, they moved into the home he built and he was there until his health no longer allowed him to live alone. He then moved into Fair View Nursing Home, where Mary had been.

He served courageously in the United States Army during World War ll. He was a decorated disabled veteran receiving the Bronze Star for the Battle of the Bulge. Junior was one of the first soldiers to cross the Lundendorf Bridge at Remagan, Germany. The bridge was the last bridge standing across the Rhine and was wired by the Germans as they attempted to blow it while the allies were crossing it. It was their last attempt to keep the allies out of Germany. Under heavy fighting the Americans took the bridge and Junior was decorated with the Silver Star for his part in the campaign.

In the last days of the war, he was shot and left for the clemency of friends or enemy. He was found with 6 German soldiers who had surrendered to him. He spent the remaining days of the war and almost a year after the war in an Army hospital in Texas and Oklahoma. For this, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

In the early years of his married life, he worked in construction. He later went to work for the Sedalia Public Schools, and when he retired he was the assistant supervisor of buildings and grounds for the school system.

He loved to work with his hands repairing and building wood work items. He strived for perfection and frequently told his children, "if you are going to do it, do it right the first time."

Junior's wife passed away on their 59th wedding anniversary, December 24, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Mart and Jessie Reed; a grandson, Chad Cable; 4 brothers, Roy Reed, Harold Reed, Lloyd Reed, and Harry Reed.

He is survived by his 5 children and their spouses Kathleen and Larry Neil of Odessa, MO; Martin and Judy Reed of Sedalia, MO; Steve and Darlene Reed of Richmond, KS; John and Debbie Reed of Harleysville, PA; and Melissa and John Austin of Frontenac, KS; one sister Midge Reed of San Antonio, TX; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Ewing-Schutte-Semler Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Neil officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. Monday, January 28, 2013 at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Neil, Joshua Reed, Jennifer Reed, Adam Reed, Jacob Cochran, Mary Ann Cochran, Johnny Austin, Jessica Austin. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. You may leave condolences online at ewingschuttesemlerfh.com

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