ATLANTA—Deacon Cecil Romaine (Cece) Reimer died peacefully on Oct. 11. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Phyllis D. Reimer; his parents Ben and Marie Reimer and his youngest sister, Bernadine Wartenbe of Tacoma, Washington. He was 93 years old.

Deacon Cece Reimer served at Holy Cross Church, Atlanta. He is pictured here with granddaughter, Elizabeth Craig, on the day of her first holy Communion.

He will be remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather by his children, Mark A. Reimer (Casey Burns); Anne R. Craig and grandchildren Nicholas A. Craig and Elizabeth A. Craig. He is also survived by his sisters Donna DuBeau (John, deceased ), Betty Kaija (Stan, deceased ), Lois Brown, Marilyn Snarski (Jerry) and Alice Nelson (Rich) along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Deacon Reimer served his country in France during the liberation of Europe at the end of World War II. Upon his return he earned a degree in economics from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and was a sports editor for the school paper. 

Upon graduation he began a 35-year career with the Weyerhaeuser Company working in several states across the U.S. While working in Denver, Colorado he met and married his wife, Phyllis D. Reimer. The 1960s brought two children into their lives. Mark and Anne were both born in Dallas, Texas, but the family soon moved to Atlanta, settling there in 1964. 

The Reimers were among the founding members of Holy Cross Church and were active with the parish throughout their lives. Deacon Reimer was involved in the Cursillo, Ultreya, adult education and RCIA ministries. He was a parish council member, a member of the choir and a eucharistic minister.

In 1987, he was ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church. While studying for the diaconate he earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at Loyola University. He served as a deacon at Holy Cross Church for the next 30 years of his life.  

He will be remembered by family, friends and the community as a joyful, loving and compassionate man. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 19 at Holy Cross Church. A private burial will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to a cause of great importance to the deacon—St. Joseph’s Indian School at www.stjo.org/help-native-americans/memorials. Its mission is to educate underprivileged Native American children and their families.