Richard “Dick” Vidmer was a fighter, whether it was on the football field as a star quarterback for Hempfield Area High School and the University of Michigan, as a Westmoreland County commissioner from 1985 to 1999, or as one who engaged in an almost 40-year battle — both public and
Here are a few of the notable people who lived, served and loved Westmoreland County who died in 2021. State Rep. Mike Reese State Rep. Mike Reese, 42, of Mt. Pleasant Township, was a 12-year House veteran representing Westmoreland and Somerset county residents in the 59th Legislative District.
Michelle Ganassi
Erie Times-News
Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Reese died Saturday afternoon following an apparent brain aneurysm, according to a statement from House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff.
Benninghoff said Reese, 42, was at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, with his family at his side when he died. More than a friend to all of us, and one of our caucus leaders, Mike was a devoted husband and father. His wife, three young children and extended family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, the statement read.
Reese, a Republican, was elected for the 59th District in 2009, replacing retiring state Rep. Jess Stairs. His district included parts of Westmoreland and Somerset counties. In 2019 he won a fifth term in office.
Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Reese, 42, died on Saturday from an apparent aneurysm
Reese tested positive for COVID-19 in December but was said to be recovering
His symptoms of the virus were minor, a post to his Facebook stated
Friends of Reese said he had been active prior to his death, having reportedly gone for a five mile run and taken his son hunting on New Year s Day
The 12-year House veteran was first elected as a Representative in 2008 to serve parts of Westmoreland and Somerset Counties
He was re-elected to represent the two counties on November 3, and was subsequently chosen to sever as chairman of the party’s caucus for 2020-21
Sean Stipp | Tribune-Review
Submitted
Tribune-Review
State Rep.Tim Krieger (right) looks over returns in his race for judge in the Westmoreland County’s Court of Common Pleas with fellow State Rep. Mike Reese (center) during his election night gathering at Trinity United Church of Christ in Delmont on Nov. 3, 2015.
Tribune-Review
State Rep. Mike Reese speaks during a ceremony dedicating a portion of Route 981 as the James Paul Takitch Honorary Highway on Oct. 22, 2016, at Saint Florian Church in United.
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State Rep. Mike Reese, elected in November to his seventh term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, died Saturday at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg following an apparent brain aneurysm.