John George Reger Sr.'s Obituary
John George Reger, Sr., age 82, of Tampa, FL passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2013. He was born September 11, 1931 in Wheeling, WV and moved to Tampa in the late 1960’s from Pittsburgh, PA. He was a professional football player in the NFL, having played 9 seasons with the Steelers and 3 seasons with the Redskins. He started with the Steelers in 1955 as a walk on and went on to play in 3 Pro Bowls. After moving to Tampa, he and his wife were the owners/operators of the Dam Shanty. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Reger of Tavares, FL; son, John G. Reger, Jr. and his wife Karin of Gainesville, FL; sisters, Susie Reger Downing, Virginia Reger Maxwell, Blanche Reger Kaminski, all of Wheeling, WV, and Cassi Reger Doyle of Corinth, TX; grandchildren, John, Emily, and Natalie; step-grandchildren, Justin, Kyle, Jeremy, and Emily; and great-grandson, Rylan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice McCray; parents, Casper Reger and Katherine Nicholson Reger; grandson, Thomas Ernst, son of Kathy Reger; sisters, Patty and Charlotte; brother, Ron; and daughter-in-law, Susan Wood Reger. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 4:00PM at Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Home, Tavares, FL. A Memorial Service will be held in Wheeling, WV in early October. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his grandson's Thomas W. Ernst Scholarship at UF College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Alzheimer’s Assocation.org; or The Linsly School, 60 Knox Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall.
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