Reyno was born April 28, 1924 in Hazard, Kentucky. (Reyno would always link his birth date to that of the sinking of the Titanic which sank on the very same day twelve years earlier.) He was one of nine children born to the union of Wiley and Florence (Hurt) Feltner. There were eight boys and one girl.
At the age of 18, Reyno enlisted in the United States Army and served his country faithfully for “20 years, 4 hours and 32 minutes” (according to Reyno). He retired on April 29, 1964 which happened to be a leap year and he had to do an extra day of duty because of that. For his faithful service, Reyno was awarded several awards and commendations and by the time of his discharge had earned the rank of Sergeant First Class.
After retiring from the military, Reyno worked as a civil service employee for 12 years. He drove a truck, worked in supplies and also family housing. On June 1, 1980, he resigned from civil service and began doing volunteer work.
For 17 years, Reyno volunteered at the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital pushing the book cart around to the patients. He also volunteered with the Roby Fire Department, Lions Club and Meals on Wheels, just to name a few. He was a lifetime member of the Ozark Memorial VFW Post 3176 of St. Robert, the American Legion Post 331 and the Cooties. He was also a member of the Roby Fire Department, Mark Twain React Team and the Northwest Texas County Lions Club.
Reyno made the comment that he used to like to hunt and fish but decided to give that up to do volunteer work because he got more enjoyment out of that than waiting for the fish to bite. He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him.
Reyno is survived by his very dear friends, the Howard Walny family of Newburg, along with his fellow VFW, American Legion and Cootie members, the Mark Twain React Team, the Roby Fire Department, the Northwest Texas County Lions Club and most especially by the hundreds of lives touched through Reyno’s years of volunteering at the General Leonard Wood Hospital.
Reyno was preceded in death by his parents; 7 brothers: Ravina, Raymond, Damon, Oakland, Franklin D., Demere and Lexington; and 1 sister: Regina Feltner.
Graveside services with military honors were held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 in the Ozark Memorial VFW Post 3176 Cemetery of St. Robert with Chaplain (CPT) Jim Burton officiating. Herman Corbett recalled his wonderful memories of his friend and fellow soldier and Hector Mitchell read a poem in memory of Reyno. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Reyno Feltner to the Children’s Hospital at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
April 28th, 1924 - November 8th, 2009
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