William H. Rieken

William H. "Bill" Rieken, 86, of Springfield, died at 11:05 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Oak Terrace. Bill was born May 19, 1922 in York, Nebraska, the son of Walter H. and Alma L. Rieken. He lived in the Farmingdale and Riddle Hill areas before settling in Springfield in 1945. He was a graduate of Springfield High School and Springfield Junior College. He married Frances Petrovich on October 9, 1942 in St. Charles, MO. Bill was a veteran of WWII, serving nearly four years with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served overseas in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was employed as a meteorologist with the U.S. Weather Bureau in Springfield for fourteen years and as a pilot and flight safety inspector with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics for twenty-three years. Bill was a member of American Legion Post 32 and of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife of over sixty-five years, Frances Rieken of Springfield; one brother, Donald Rieken of Phoenix, AZ; three nephews; one niece; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several cousins. Family will receive friends from 9:30 10:45 a.m. on Monday, February 9, 2009 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos, Springfield. Funeral Mass will follow visitation at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Robert J. Jallas celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to the Quincy VA Clinic, 721 Broadway, Quincy, IL 62301. The family of William H. "Bill" Rieken is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.