Melvin E. "Red" Riddle's Obituary
Melvin E. “Red” Riddle, 88, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at Sullivan Health Care in Sullivan, IL.
Melvin was born January 24, 1926 in Decatur, IL, the son of Earl and Frances Riddle. He proudly served for his country in the United States Navy. Red was a lifelong fan of sports. He was a Silver Glove boxing champion at the age of 15, and he pared the Nelson Golf Course at the age of 17. Red also played for Staley’s Smokehouse fast-pitched softball team which won consecutive championships three years in a row. He was also on the Decatur Merchants championship team. Red loved music and he would spend his spare time playing his guitar. In his later years, Red was an avid golfer who also enjoyed fishing and creating scenic landscape oil paintings. He married
Ruth Sharples in Decatur, IL. She preceded him in death in February, 2011.
Melvin leaves behind his sons, Neil Riddle of Decatur; Philip Riddle of Warrensburg; Kevin (Gwen) Riddle of Decatur; Carl Spann of California; daughters, Julia (Jim) Turner of Decatur; Brenda Riddle of Colorado Springs, CO; brothers, Earl Riddle of Decatur; Donald Riddle of Decatur; sister, Helen Smith of Decatur; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Services to celebrate Melvin’s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Point Pleasant Cemetery.
The family would like to give special thanks to Tanglewood Village and to Sullivan Health Care for all their compassion and care.
The family of Melvin E. “Red” Riddle is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services honored provider of Veteran’s Funeral Care, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL 62526. View online obituary and send condolences to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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