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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Charles Lee

Charles Lee Riddle Profile Photo

Riddle

Apr 1, 1927 — Apr 10, 2016

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Obituary

Mr. Charles Lee Riddle, 89 of Argos, passed away at 4:35 AM, Sunday, April 10 , 2016 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.
On April 1 , 1927, Charles Lee was born in Rochester the treasured son of Charles E. and Irma O. Schertz Riddle. As one of three children, growing up he shared his childhood with two sisters, Norita and Dorcas.   In 1945 he graduated and earned the distinction of being named  the Valedictorian of his class from Richland Center High School. His younger sister Dorcas was the Salutatorian of the same class.
Following high school patriotism beckoned, Charles answered the call by joining the US Army during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1947.
At Rochester's First Baptist Church on June 27 , 1951 Charles and Lola F. Pierce were married.  Together they shared more than 64 years of life's adventures.  From their union came four wonderful children, a daughter and three sons.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of ten grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
As a young man about 30 years old Charles Lee began his transportation assignment with Richland Center School.  This was the perfect compliment to  his farming operation and family.  Back in the day, bus drivers were charged with providing the bus and worked as independent contractors. The Riddle  bus allowed their family to enjoy many summer time adventures.  An accomplished handyman, Charles created a conversion out fitting the bus with bunk beds, stove and an ice box cooled by a 50 lb. block of ice.  The 54 passenger bus was an in line six, with a speed topping out at 45 miles per hour.  The Riddle family enjoyed camping out and traveled to many destinations including Canada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.  The family would spend a week camping at France Park allowing Charles Lee to return home for milking and Lola to work at the courthouse.
When Richland Center and Rochester consolidated,  Charles began transportation with Rochester Schools.   His  career driving the school bus totaled 50 years.  Mr. Riddle garnered great respect from the students, athletes and choir members he traveled with safely getting them to their destination and back home.  He took great joy in getting to know the riders on his daily routes.  Annually the holiday season brought a treasured gift from Mr. Riddle specially packaged, he provide each of the kids with a new pencil, apple and candy bar for Christmas .  The last day of school was when he treated the kids to ice cream at the Flagpole and reversed the route so the kids could see where their friends lived.  Mr. Riddle found the extra curricular activities especially enjoyable,  hauling the Zebra men of the mats and Mrs. Judy Hubbard's Manitous were among his favorites.  Dedicated to the kids, he would enjoy the concerts or cheer them on to victory, supporting them, being with them and for them, always offering compliments and words of encouragement.
Life on the farm brought Charles Lee great contentment, satisfaction and  happiness. He was proud to oversee his fine herd of Holsteins.  He looked forward to annually planting a truck patch garden and of course autumn's bountiful harvest.  After chores on summer nights he was fine tuning the garden, till the vale of darkness fell from across the skies.  Flower gardens accented the landscape,  especially his beautiful gladiolus. A family legacy and second generation tradition, each spring brought on the tapping of the syrup from the maple syrup camp.  Every Sunday the family enjoyed Dad's home made ice cream, with an arsenal of flavors at his disposal.
An amazing man with many talents, Charles was proficient as a pianist.  Self-taught he played almost any request  by ear.  The duo of Lola and Charles provided  joyful music  for a number of weddings.  With passion for mankind, he proudly  donated exactly 199 pints or (24.875 gallons) of blood to the American Red Cross.
As a young couple Charles and Lola attended the Tiosa Brethren Church, but most of their life they were members of the First Baptist Church were Charlie was always in the thick of things, lending a helpful hand.  Most recently he helped with the church's free meal program.  Charles Lee was also a devoted member of the Richland Center IOOF Lodge #435 for more than a half century. Active in the local grassroots political scene, he was a former precinct committeeman, member of the county election board and Richland Township trustee.
The warmth of the spring brought on the hunt for the morels.  Charles Lee always experienced great success, sharing the harvest with family and the card club friends.  The supply was never depleted and everyone enjoyed their fill of the festive and delicious feast.  Lola and Charlie were avid card players.  They frequently played with their  euchre and canasta clubs.  Charlie played with the men on lodge night too!  They also vacationed on many senior bus trips.  Mystery trips were Charles favorites.
Paramount in Charles Lee's life was his family.   As a grandpa, he was the proud patriarch of the Riddle family overseeing four generations.  Whether it was being seating around the campfire telling stories,  cranking the ice cream machine on Sunday afternoon or heading out for a summer break adventure in their customized convertible bus the family was he center of his attention.  Making wonderful memories was his specialty.
Left to cherish Charles' memory are his wife Lola; a daughter, Denise Williams and husband Randy of Rochester; three sons: Ronald Riddle and wife Judy of Rochester, Douglas Riddle and wife Peggy of Akron, Duane Riddle and wife Donna of Rochester; 10 grandchildren: Alan Riddle of Rochester, Brooke Nieter and husband Aaron of Warsaw, Amy Thompson of Rochester, Melissa Riddle of Summersville, SC, James Riddle of Akron, Charles Owen Riddle of Rochester, Andrew Michael Riddle of Rochester, Jeremiah Riddle of Rochester, Stephen Williams of Rochester, Robert Williams and wife Samantha of Leiters Ford; 4 great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: John Kuhn, Fredrick VanDuyne, both of Rochester; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Charles Lee in death are his parents; an infant daughter, Janice Louise; and two sisters: Norita Kuhn and Dorcas VanDuyne

Dr. Mark Spencer and Rev. Junior Bose will officiate services. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge will have a memorial service at 4:00 PM on Sunday in the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Richland Center IOOF Cemetery.  Military honors will be conducted by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Visitation

April
17

Sunday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

1:00 - 4:00 pm

Visitation

April
18

Monday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

10:00 - 11:00 am

Celebration of Life

April
18

Monday

Good Family Funeral Home

1200 West 18th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

Starts at 11:00 am

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