William H. Reiff

Brig. Gen. William H. Reiff, 76, of Shipshewana, died at his home early Thursday morning, December 27, 2012. He was born June 15, 1936 in Bluffton to George Herman and Eileen (Schlaugenhauf) Reiff. He married Judith McFarren June 25, 1953 in Bluffton. She died April 26, 1997. He later married Sammi Chupp February 24, 2007. She survives. Also surviving is a son, David L. (Kris) Reiff of Goshen; a daughter, Linda (Gary) Maust of Goshen; his stepmother, Betty Mitchell of Portland, Tennessee; three step-children, Sharon (Lyle) Shinn of Bristol, Roger (Laurie) Chupp of Goshen and Rick (Joyce) Chupp of Buckeye, Arizona; five grandsons, Dave (Jennifer) Reiff, Shane Maust, Brandon (Brooke) Maust, Brock (Lindsay) Maust and Dan (AnnDee) Reiff; four step-grandchildren, Jennifer (Tim) Jankowski, Jamie Shinn, Jessica Chupp and Sgt. Randy Chupp; a brother, Richard (Barb) Reiff of LaGrange; and a sister, LuAnn (Tony) Garton of Bluffton. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Max and George Reiff. An area resident since 1970, he worked in the construction of homes, commercial buildings and bridges. Mr. Reiff enlisted in the National Guard in 1954 and rose in rank from second lieutenant after Officer Candidate School (OCS) to Brigadier General. He retired after serving 35 years of service in the Army and Army Reserves. He served as Battalion Commander of Ft. Wayne National Guard, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, and commanded the seven Midwest Battalions of the 300th Military Police Command in Inkster, Michigan. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal along with numerous other medals and decorations. He was a member and Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club; a member of the American Legion #210 of Middlebury, VFW Post #985 where he was a past commander; Goshen DAV #15, and the Concord Rotary Club. Friends may call 12 to 6 p.m., Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A 10 a.m., Monday, December 31, 2012, funeral service will be held at the funeral home with brother-in-law, Tony Garton, officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be given to Center for Hospice Care or VFW #985.