Geraldine M. Reynolds

Geraldine “Geri” M. Reynolds, 72, of Galesburg, died at 3:33 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2008 at home. Geri was born on November 8, 1935 in Alexis, the daughter of Lawrence O. and Martha Fox Reynolds.  Surviving Geri are her sister Norene (William) Felz of Coal Valley; 8 nieces; 4 nephews; 4 great nephews; and 7 great nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers.  Geri graduated from Alexis High School and Ottumwa Heights College, Ottumwa, Iowa.  She taught school for 9 years in Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, including Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth and Blessed Sacrament in Morton.  She then became a newspaper reporter, working at Tazewell County News, Morton, from 1966-1968; she then worked at the Peoria Journal Star from 1968-1984.  Geri then went to work at the Monmouth Review Atlas from 1987-1988; and lastly working at the Galesburg Register Mail from 1988 until her retirement on August 1, 1997.  She also owned and operated The Book Bag in Galesburg from 1985 to 1987.  She was a member of the Newspaper Guild Local 86 at Peoria Journal Star from 1968-1984 and was an officer for a number of years.  She was on the board of directors of the Knox County Heart Association and on its speakers bureau.  Geri was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and volunteered for F.I.S.H.  Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, with the Rev. Ernest Pizzamiglio, officiating.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Watson Funeral Home, with a wake service at 7 p.m.  Burial will be in Alexis Cemetery, Alexis, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to Costa Catholic Academy or to Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service.