Doreen Reed, age 90, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst, Illinois. She was born September 14, 1935 in Fort Madision, IA, the daughter of Ben and Inez (Nolte) Pollmeier. She married the love of her life, Jimmy Dean Mellinger, on August 25, 1956, they had two children, Kay and Ronnie. That marriage ended prior to her moving to LaHarpe. She was married to Eugene Reed for a short period of time.
Doreen was a 1953 graduate of Fort Madison High School. She was raised on a farm outside of Fort Madison where she enjoyed riding horses. She mentioned that when she played the piano, her horse would dance outside the window. She loved animals especially her dogs as well as family members dogs. She talked about how she loved to dance and go roller skating in Dallas City. She loved to fish; which she passed down to her kids. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and cleaning her house. In her earlier years, she worked at Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison, Associates Financial Services in Burlington and retired from Blandinsville Bank. She earned her Real Estate Broker license which she was very proud of. Doreen especially loved spending time with her family and attending her kids and grandkids music events and sports.
Survivors include her two children, Kay (Rod) Burr of Lomax, IL and Ronnie (Lora) Mellinger of LaHarpe, three grandchildren, Joshua (Kayla) Gebhardt, Brickston (Nathan) Blackburn and Colton (Connor) Mellinger, four great-grandchildren, McKinley Gebhardt, Brantly Gebhardt, Carson Mellinger and Baker Blackburn; one sister-in-law, Cora Pollmeier and one nephew, Randy (Ann) Pollmeier. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Bill Pollmeier, and one niece Jeanine Pollmeier.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Rick Goettsche officiating. Burial will follow at LaHarpe Cemetery. No visitation is planned.
A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Union Church or the LaHarpe Fire Department.