Peter Reichling

Peter J. Reichling, 79, of Darlington, WI passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Edgerton Hospital in Edgerton, WI. He was born on November 21, 1939 to Leo and Fay (Crippen) in Darlington and was raised on the family farm on Fayette Road. He attended the Paper Schoolhouse on Fayette Road and graduated from Darlington High School in 1958.Pete was active in all sports: baseball, football, track, and basketball. After helping out with the Reichling Farm, he enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 10, 1960 and was stationed at Lakeland AFB, Texas, training to be a pilot. In April 1960 he served in the 832nd Combat Support Group in Libya during the Vietnam Conflict. He was released with an Honorable Discharge of active duty on December 9, 1964.Pete was a die-hard Redbird, Badger, and Packer fan. In 1974, Pete fell in love with the bartender at the Circle Bar. Donna M. (Gable) O'Brien was the love of his life and they were married on August 27, 1977 and moved to the family farm. They were instrumental as founding members of the Darlington Rural Medical Ambulance Service. They loved to go bowling at the Ranch House Lanes and lived to see the day they bought the Redbird Country Inn. Pete also worked at Barber-Coleman in Darlington and he and Donna made their home in Darlington. Pete loved watching his favorite westerns, playing cards, and enjoyed a few trips to the casinos. He was quite the entertainer in showing his family card tricks. Pete is survived by his sister, Pauline Trickle, Darlington and his brother, Don (Karen) Reichling, Darlington. His step-children Mike (Theresa) O'Brien, Darlington, Dan (Denita) O'Brien, Baraboo, Diane (Rich) Grindey, Shullsburg, and Shawn O'Brien, Shullsburg along with many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, cousins, and his grand-dog, "Oscar." He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna (2002), his parents Leo (1979), and Fay (1987), his brother Kenneth (1947), and brother-in-law Boyd Trickle (2007). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 12:00 P.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet St., Darlington) with Rev. Joji Reddy officiating. Burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery where military graveside rites will be accorded by Bates-O'Brien-Wiegel-Howe-Roelli American Legion Post #214 of Darlington. A visitation will be held Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 11:00 A.M. until the 11:45 A.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church where a rosary will be prayed at 10:30 A.M. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Pete's name. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, staff, and chaplains at Lafayette Manor, Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington, Meriter/UWHC in Madison, Platteville Rehabilitation, Edgerton Hospital, and Heartland Hospice. Pete will be missed and fondly remembered by family and friends.