Thomas Reller

Thomas J. "Tom" Reller, age 75 of Melrose, died Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 1 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Thomas John Reller was born August 1, 1933 in Lake Henry, Minnesota to Fred and Therese (Scherber) Reller. He was united in marriage to Marlene Marthaler on October 19, 1957 at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. Tom attended Barber College in St. Paul and worked at barber shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and eventually owning a barber shop in Melrose. In 2006, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service where he was a clerk for 28 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, American Legion Unit 101, Melrose Fire Department for 20 years, and Melrose City Council for 6 years. Tom also served as secretary for the Lake Region Fireman's Association and the Melrose Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene Reller of Melrose; children, Kim Rose of Sartell, Mark (Lea) Reller of Melrose, Kevin (special friend, Gretchen Martin) Reller of Melrose, Carla (Richard) Van Heel of Melrose, and Russ Reller of Melrose; 10 grandchildren, Cody, Evan, Mitch, Elise, Tayler, Torri, Corisa, Brynn, Taryn, and Ty; brother, Roger (Beverly) Reller of Austin; and brother-in-law, Joel (Judi) Marthaler of St. Cloud.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Therese Reller.

Serving as urn bearer will be Evan Reller. Cross bearer will be Cody Rose and scripture bearer will be Ty Reller. Serving as reader will by DeNel Jackson and petitions will be read by Tayler and Torri Reller. Gift bearers will be Taryn and Brynn Van Heel.