Charles "Lee" Reitenour

HAMILTON - Charles Leland "Lee" Reitenour, 94, of Hamilton passed away Monday, May 3, 2010 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. He was born March 15, 1916 in Ridgeville, Indiana the son of Roy and Ina (Smithson) Reitenour.

Lee married Phyllis Owens and they later divorced. He then married Helen Baumgartner and she preceded him in death. Lee also married Patricia Mullen and she also preceded him in death. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge for 69 years and the Moose Lodge. Lee was the oldest living member of the Hamilton Eagles Lodge. He served 2 terms as president, 1984-1985 and 1995-1996. He rode his 3 wheeled bike around Hamilton until a few days before he passed.

Lee had friends everywhere he went. He was a gentle good man and was loved by many people. Lee always wanted to help anyone in need. He was always quick witted with his cute come backs to questions like, how do you feel Lee? "With my fingers."

Lee's biggest enjoyment in life was women. In his high school yearbook his goals for the future were women, women, women. One of his greatest enjoyments was a game of pinochle with his friends, followed closely by the love of his companion, Little Bit, a Chihuahua he got at the Humane Society. Lee also enjoyed a meal at BJ's, his favorite restaurant. Every time Lee was around little kids he got a twinkle in his eye and just wanted to love them all, especially his "adopted grandkids", Cherrish, Karizma and Skyler.

Lee was also preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his good friends who looked after him and enjoyed his company for the past few years, Mark, Dina and Hazel; 2 sisters, Elizabeth of Sequim, WA and Delores of Washington; and his son, Robert.

Memorials may be made to the Commodity Center, the Bitterroot Humane Society or to the Hamilton Senior Center.