Master Sgt Jeffrey J. Rieck, 45, of Columbus, Ohio died April 4, in Faryab province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained during an enemy attack by a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Ohio National Guard, Walbridge, Ohio. Jeff graduated from Sidney High School in 1984 and began his 25 year career with the military on May 5, 1987. Jeff devoted his life to his service and his country. Jeff loved spending time with his son Joel and his family. He was a loving father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He had an amazing ability to ease the minds of children as he worked to prepare them for their parent's upcoming tour of duty in his career with the Ohio National Guard Family Readiness Group.
He is preceded in death by his father James Henry Rieck and mother Jayne Rieck. He is survived by his son, Joel Rieck; former wife, Catherine Rieck; sister, Jennifer (Timothy) Herbst; nephew, A. Mitchell Herbst; Uncle Larry (Paula) Dohrer; cousins, Tom (Tracy) Dohrer, Tim (Stephanie) Dohrer and their children. Just as important is his Ohio National Guard and Army family that he leaves behind. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, April 16, 2012 at the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 North High Street. Funeral service will be held at Franklin County Veterans Memorial on 300 West Broad Street, Monday, April 16, 2012 at 10 a.m. Chaplin Daniel R. Burris officiating. Interment at Union Cemetery immediately following the service. Donations may be made in MSG Rieck's name to the Joel Rieck Fund, 2747 Roe Dr., Lewis Center, Ohio 43035 or Ohio Operation: Military Kids through the Ohio State University Foundation (Fund #311984) and sent to Dr. Theresa Ferrari, OMK Project Director, Ohio State University, 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, OH 43210. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Jeff. Published in The Columbus Dispatch on April 13, 2012