Steve Cordle
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Our church member spotlight focuses on Charlie Reichert, a native of Jefferson County, born 95 years ago on July 11, 1925. Reichert served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. During his time in the navy, he served three years in Maryland and overseas aboard a ship in New Guinea, the Philippines and San Diego. After military service, Reichert worked for the US Postal Service, in Jacksonville, for 27 years, before retiring in 1982 and moving back to Monticello in 1987. “I now live on the property I grew up on,” Reichert said, “having inherited a few acres from my grandfather.”
Reichert and his wife, Mary, joined Garden City U.M.C. in Jacksonville in about 1984 and transferred their membership when they moved Monticello, making them members of Monticello First United Methodist Church FUMC for 33 years. Reichert said that “you might say I was born into FUMC as my parents and grandparents were members of FUMC in Monticello.” Reichert has also been a lifetime member of the Florida Sheriffs Association for 45 years. Reichert and his wife have three children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Reichert states that, although he did not join a church until he was grown, “I always was a Christian. When I was in public school we were taught Christianity and in some grades being required to recite a Bible verse every day.“ Although he has never held a position in the church, being a woodworker, he has built many projects for the church. Reichert says that some of the work he has done includes the alters and alter table in the Family Ministry Center and the bookcases in the pastor's office and in the Church library, “which was no small undertaking.”
When asked what he liked best about the church, Reichert stated that, “what I like very much about the church is the PEOPLE. The church IS the people. After the death of my wife in July, the people of the church were a big help to me by bringing me food and visiting and sending cards and phone calls.”
His favorite hymn is Take My Hand Precious Lord, and two of his favorite verses are John 14:6 and John 8:32.
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