Earl  Clifford Reding

Earl Clifford Reding, 92, Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Earl was born July 17, 1922 in Buena Vista County, IA the oldest of five children to Harvey and Mable (Baer) Reding. He graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. in 1942. Earl was trained as an aircraft mechanic on heavy bombers (B-17 & B-29) and achieved the rank of Tech Sgt. During the last year of WWII, Earl was stationed on Tinian Island in the Pacific as a B-29 mechanic and witnessed the take off of the Enola Gay which carried the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Earl received an honorable discharge from the service after three and a half years of faithful service. He married Henrietta Schneider of Independence, MO on August 8, 1947. They were married for 52 years before her death in 1999. Earl started work in 1949 with Bendix as a machinist and progressed to shop foreman, general foreman and later staff engineer, specializing in machine tools. He retired in 1982 after 33 years. Earl was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a 50 plus year member of the Independence 76 lodge of Free Masons and a member of American Legion Post 21. During retirement, Earl enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and golf. Survivors include his children, David Reding and wife Sheryl, Virginia Masimer, and Mark Reding. Grandchildren, Julie, Corey, Jessica, Chris and Kelly; great grandchildren, Meagan, Corey Paul, Danny, Brett, Kaley, Skyler and Serenity; great great grandson, Travis Jr.; sister, Jane Ann Reding. He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers, one sister, and his parents. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Honor Flight of K.C. P.O. Box 46718, Kansas City, MO 64188. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)