1926 – Ben Reinheller – 2021

Benny (Ben) Reinheller, beloved husband of Esther Reinheller for 74 years, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Friday September 24th at the age of 94 years. He leaves to cherish his memory four children, Wes (Janice) Reinheller, David (Sheila) Reinheller, Wayne (Denise) Reinheller, and Dale Reinheller (Dave Whiteside) all of Medicine Hat; six grandchildren, Renee (Matt) Rood of Medicine Hat, Ryan (Andrea) Reinheller of Fairbanks Alaska, Aliesha (Kelly) Kurpjuweit, Amanda (Michael) Schneider, Michael (Jessica) Reinheller and Melissa (Tyler) Davidson all of Medicine Hat, and 23 great grandchildren.

Ben was born on November 22nd, 1926, on his family farm near Richmond Saskatchewan to Martin and Sophie Reinheller. He was the eldest of six siblings including four sisters, Julia Haberlack, (late Fred), Katie Lutz (late Nelson), Irene Cote (late Ray) Levina (Bill) and his late brother Albert (Eileen) Reinheller.

Ben left home in 1944 at the age of 18 to work in Taber, Alberta as a farm hand, and then moved to Medicine Hat to work at Medalta Potteries. Ben met the love of his life Esther Croissant in Medicine Hat and they married on October 26th 1946, the same year he started working for Canadian Pacific Railway. He remained there for almost 40 years until his retirement in 1986. In his last years with the railroad, Ben worked as a conductor on the passenger train and was so proud to take his grandchildren along for train rides to Field, B.C. Ben loved to keep busy, so after his retirement he worked the next 20 years for his son’s business Medican Construction in the wood shop. During Ben’s post retirement job, laughter could always be heard from the break room where Ben enjoyed extended coffee breaks with staff, and friends who would often stop by.

Ben’s relationship with Christ was the foundation for his life, and he was an active and devoted parishioner and board member of various churches in Medicine Hat over the years, including Grace Baptist, Temple Baptist, First Assembly and most recently River Park Community Church. Ben was also heavily involved in the early planning and development of both Eagles Nest Ranch and Pinecrest Baptist Bible Camp where he served on both boards for many years. Ben had the biggest heart, and along with his wife Esther spent years ministering at both the Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Remand Centres. ‘Gentle Ben’ was not one to judge others and had a heart for those who were down and out. In the last five years of his life he also supported the Oasis Centre feeding program (The Mustard Seed) where he loved to spend time and talk with anyone who needed support or comfort.

The family would like to stay a special thank you to all the residents of South Country Villa where Ben and Esther enjoyed the company of so many wonderful friends, who would often check in with fresh muffins in hand. Thank you also to all the homecare nurses and care aides who made it possible for Ben to live independently at home in his final years. Ben enjoyed and appreciated the tender love and care he received from the home care team, and would always send them home with a chocolate and say, “Take One for each Cheek”.

Our family will cherish forever how genuine, positive and upbeat Dad always was with a perfect dash of humour mixed in, we think that is what drew so many people towards him. We will forever be grateful for the legacy that he has left us.
We are so proud of you Dad. Thank for showing us how it’s done!

A private funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Mark Borrows officiating. Due to the restrictions brought forward by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, indoor public gatherings are to be kept to 50 people. Masks are mandatory. For family and friends who are unable to attend, the service will be live streamed, and you are invited to watch by searching Youtube for the Pattison Funeral Home Youtube page. The video will go live 10 minutes prior to service time and will remain on the youtube page for future viewing. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. Those who wish to remember Ben with a donation may do so to The Mustard Seed: theseed.ca/medicine-hat. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: office@pattisonfuneralhome.com subject heading: Ben Reinheller, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.

• Date : 2021-09-24
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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