Joseph "Joe" Nephi Reger

BONNE TERRE – Joseph Nephi “Joe” Reger, 62, died at his home in Bonne Terre, Missouri, on Friday, February 7, 2025. He was the second son of William Morgan Reger III and Elizabeth Roena (nee Hill) Reger Bruce. He was born on October 13, 1962, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. 

Joe attended schools in Belleville, Illinois, Hillsboro, Missouri, and Staunton, Illinois. He also took classes at BYU-Idaho, before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ventura, California. 

Joe first married Dorothy Sherman in 1984, in Santa Paula, California, with whom he adopted two children, John and Kelly. They later divorced. 

He then married Kelly Schroeder in 2006, with whom he had one daughter, Rachael. They later divorced. 

Joe was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently, he served as Ward Mission Leader in the Farmington Ward. 

Joe is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Bruce of Litchfield, Illinois; brother, William M. Reger IV (Mary) of Champaign, Illinois; sister, Christine McMullin of Salt Lake City, Utah; children, John Reger of Austin, Texas, Kelly Reger of Farmington, Missouri, and Rachael Reger of Kansas City, Kansas; step-children, Jack and Rick Kettering; six nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and -nephews; fiance’, Melissa Flannery, as well as several aunts and uncles. 

Family members who preceded him in death are; his father, stepfather, Maurice Bruce; sister, Susan Reger Cumberland; nephew, Patrick McMullin; and great-nephew, Alaric Valencic. 

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 709 South Henry Street, Farmington, MO officiated by Brother Dennis Moore. Inurnment will be in Staunton, Illinois City Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund, 122 Zieba Court, Farmington, MO 63640. Share your condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com.