Richard L. Riddell's Obituary
RIDDELL, Richard L., age 74, of Franklin, passed away Sun., Jan. 26, 2020 at his residence.
Richard graduated from Springboro High School, class of ’64, and served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam era. He retired from AK Steel in 2005 after 41 years of service. After retirement, he worked six more years for Franklin City Schools at a teacher’s aid for special needs students. He always said that those last six years was were his best work years.
He was a devout Christian and a member of the Red Lion Lord of Glory Holiness Church. He also enjoyed attending the Sunday morning services at the Franklin Faith Tabernacle.
Kind, loving, caring, happy, and always jolly, Richard also had a serious side. He never complained and always had a positive outlook on life. When he was a young boy, he greatly enjoyed his family fishing trips to Fletchers Pond in Hillman, Michigan. With his wife and children, yearly trips to Pigeon Forge in Tennessee become the family tradition. A hotel with a swimming pool, go-cart racing, and the traditional shopping and dining became the memories that Richard made with his family. In addition to be family oriented, he also enjoyed playing the mandolin, guitar, and banjo. He also collected trains and found himself visiting historic full size trains from time to time. Among many things, he will be remembered for his love of his dog, Abby; the way he always seemed to be rocking in a chair; and for the way he loved people and the way people loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Malcolm and Ida Mae Riddell; two brothers Malcolm and Paul “Bud” Riddell; and brother-in-law Edgard “Tip” Tipton. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rhonda; three children Melissa (Mark) Matthews, R. Shawn (Kelly) Riddell, and Polly (Mike) Maggard; eight grandchildren Spencer, Hannah, Jacob, Hayden, Lane, Nathanael, Kylee, and Ethan; one great granddaughter Alayna; two sisters Joanne Tipton and Pamela (Felix) Hall; sister-in-law Faye Riddell; mother-in-law Amanda Combs; and sister-in-law Pamela Wadsworth.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Fri. Jan. 31 at Red Lion Lord of Glory Holiness Church. Pastor Danny Lamb, Joseph Hall, and James Maggard will be officiating. Burial will be in Springboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4-8 PM Thurs. at the church. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. If desired, contributions may be made to Queen City Hospice. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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