MARCH 19, 1918 - JANUARY 06, 2013
Frank Riddle, born near Wapella, Illinois passed at West Florida Hospital Sunday, January 06, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ura Wagner, who died by the time he was 7. He was then adopted by his uncle and aunt, Frank and Sina Riddle, who are also deceased. His wife of 63 years, Rebecca “Beck” Riddle, passed in April 2011. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Bernadine Willis; his adopted brother, Glenn Riddle; his brother-in-law, Dean Griffith and his sister-in-law, Wilma Powers.
As a young man Frank attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL. As WWII approached, he left school to work at Shell Oil Refinery in St. Louis which was heavily involved in providing fuel to the troops. Working for John Deere Company was his next endeavor.
With that knowledge of equipment, his love of the soil, and his background of being raised on a farm, he went into grain and livestock farming in Central Illinois. He and his wife had a breeding herd of registered Angus cattle which won many prizes for them over the years including Grand Champion Female at the Illinois State Fair. They also exhibited a number of years at the International Livestock Show in Chicago winning high prizes.
At age 45 he and his wife bought a section of land north of DeFuniak Springs, Florida and moved just the grain portion of their farming operation to the South. Here they “double cropped” raising wheat and soybeans both on the same ground during the same year. In 1974 at age 55 he retired selling the land and moved to Pensacola.
From that time forward, life became a fun period of traveling by plane worldwide or in their RV throughout the US, owning and exhibiting antique autos, and enjoying his grandchildren. In later years he also worked for Centennial Motors in Pensacola. He loved the atmosphere and camaraderie there.
During the last 5 years as health prevented him traveling as much, he and Beck adopted “Buster” a Jack Russell Terrier through Jr. Humane Society. That little 24 pound package provided them hours of enjoyment. When Frank moved to Broadview Assisted Living in September 2011, Buster lived there with him for a period of time.
Being watched over by a caring and loving staff at Broadview, as well as, receiving therapy from Genesis Rehab (where Michelle and Nancy became his big “buds”) made his life full of friends and great people. Broadview, indeed, became home for Frank.
Frank is survived by a daughter, Carol Ann Merrifield Biven Davis (Win) of Pensacola, beloved granddaughters, Lori Lynn Biven Roswold (Robert) of Pensacola and Leigh Ann Biven Root Davis of Tallahassee; step grandsons, Russ Davis of Pensacola and Rance Davis of El Paso, TX; a great granddaughter, Haley Root of Tallahassee; great grandsons, Tyler and Kevin Roswold of Pensacola; step great grandson, Logan Davis of El Paso, TX; brother-in-law, Ben Hale (Mary) of Clinton, IL; sister-in-law, Darlene Griffith of Normal, IL; 4 nephews, 2 nieces, numerous great nieces and nephews and 12 great great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel with Reverend Ken Autrey officiating. Music will be rendered by Michael Lett.
Pallbearers will be Steve Hale, Jim Powers, Russ Davis, Bill Perkins, John Hodges and Roger Hosmer.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 6 East Wright St., Pensacola, FL 32501 or Jr. Humane Society, 901 Williams Ditch Rd., Cantonment, FL 32533.
BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway is entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.
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