Reginald King Fansler's Obituary
Reginald King Fansler, age 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 3, 2017. He entered this world on October 18, 1916 in St. Cloud, Missouri.
As a child he lived on a farm in Greenfield, Illinois with his parents, Lloyd and Lucille, and his brothers Norbert, Kermit and Carroll. He decided early that farming was not his calling. He wanted to see the world, answering the Army Recruiter’s call in 1936, and took basic training on Corregidor Island in the Philippines. He later left the Army and rejoined in 1940 and was commissioned as an officer in 1943. A founding member of the Military Police Corps, he served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
He met Avis, his wife of 59 years, in Germany after WWII where she was part of Special Services. Reg retired from the Army as a Colonel in 1971 after 34 years of service. He received the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and many commendations.
Following his Army career, he was the Chief of Law Enforcement for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources until his second retirement in 1978.
In retirement, Reg and Avis moved to Honolulu, and enjoyed many years with his Fansler Ohana (family). He later moved to Gainesville, Florida to live at Oak Hammock in 2007. Reg’s beloved wife Avis passed away in 2009. He continued to enjoy life.
He is survived by his children Marilyn (and Andy), Susan (and Jim), and Mark (and Cheryl); grandchildren Katherine (and Kevin), Blair, Jay, Matthew, and Sarah; great grandchildren Sophia, Nathan and Mackenzie. His close friend, Bette Archard, also survives him.
Burial services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. The Florida Memorial Service will be held at Oak Hammock on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
This loving, generous, gentle man will be missed by many people. The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff and residents of Oak Hammock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Transitions of Pennsylvania, a center serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking at www.transitionsofpa.org or PO Box 170, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
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