Daniel Thomas Reese, Jr.

Daniel Thomas Reese Jr., 88, of Bellville, died peacefully in his sleep on August 22, 2017. Dan was born May 9th, 1929. He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel T. Reese Sr. and Jule Collard Reese, and father and mother in-law, Anthony and Rosina Mollica. Dan married Antonia Mollica Reese on June 25th, 1955.

Reese attended The Ohio State University where he majored in agriculture, animal husbandry, and art. A life-long Richland County native, Reese served briefly in the US Navy until it occurred to him that he was a jarhead. As a Marine, he served at several bases and had one tour of duty during the Korean War. One of his favorite memories, while he was a driver for General OP Smith, was that he had the opportunity to meet and drive for John Wayne on set. He was involved with the planning of the Mansfield July 4th celebration and was on the planning committee for the 200-year anniversary celebration of the Marine Corp. To the end, he was true to his Marines.

Dan and Antonia were the owners of Pleasant Valley Landscaping, Castle Door Gallery, and the Pleasant Valley Bed and Breakfast. Passions included painting, sculpting, and collecting Eastern European and Asian art. Also an enthusiastic traveler, he visited many countries with his wife. Favorites included Italy, China, Egypt, and Ukraine, but his favorite vacation spot was his home in Bellville, driving the Kubota and mowing his fields.

A lover of music, he enjoyed many genres and artists, including Buddy Holly, Vera Lynn, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue, and Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer. His love for music did not extend to opera, and his family had to hide his Roger Whittaker albums.

He is survived by his wife Antonia, his children, Julie (Dave) DuVall, Daniel (Linda) Reese, Michael Reese, and James (Michelle) Reese; grandchildren, Michael Ten-Barge and Daniel, Jack, Elizabeth, Emily, Nickolas, Morgan, and Natalie Reese.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Mansfield Catholic Cemetery, Mansfield, Ohio. A military service will be provided by Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. You are welcome to make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name. SEMPER FI