Michael A. Reinke, age 68, of Clintonville (Town of Belle Plaine) passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019 at The Pines Post-Acute and Memory Care, Embarrass.
Michael Arthur Reinke was born on April 19, 1951 in Kaukauna to William and Madge (Keough) Reinke. Mike grew up in the Kaukauna area where he graduated from high school. He entered the U.S. Army and served stateside for two years mostly at a base in Texas. After the military, Mike went on to Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, and earned an associate degree in Electronics in 1976. Mike was united in marriage in 1982 to Dejon M. Guralski at the courthouse in Oshkosh and the couple were blessed with two children. Mike was employed at several paper mills in the Fox Valley area for many years. He worked in the Computer IT Department doing electronic trouble shooting on various pieces of equipment. Later in life, he completed classes in Graphic Design, Web Design, and Photography at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay. Mike was also proud to serve as a Lab Aide at NWTC. Mike’s passion was photography whether it was capturing beautiful landscapes or stunning architecture. Some of his favorite photos were shared with others at the Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, and at Mosquito Hill Nature Center Art Shows, New London. He was a gifted artist with the camera and was also a talented painter with either oil or watercolor paints. Mike was known by many as the “wood tick hunter” because of his countless hours spent outdoors to catch just the right image. He always loved showing his art to others. Mike was honored to be a featured artist and have some of his photography published in the Sunshine Artist Magazine in 2017. Mike also composed classical music, writing 13 pieces in a mere 15 months. His artistic talent always came through in his poems, songs, and lyrics. He also shared important life lessons with phrases like “everyone should be forgiven.”
Survivors include two children, Michael Reinke and Catherine Reinke; his former spouse, Dejon Guralski; and a stepson, Patrick Guralski. There are eight siblings: Jerry Reinke, Diane Brochtrup-Hovey, Tom Reinke, Cherryll Ehle, James Reinke, John Reinke, Donald Reinke, and Sheila Wilquet. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Roberta Van Den Eng.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 23rd from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Breakaway Bar & Grill, N2921 County Road Y, Clintonville. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting the family. An online guest book is available at www.beil-didier.com.