Jesse Riffel Jr.

CHAPMAN Jesse Riffel Jr., 78, Chapman, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka. He was born Feb. 11, 1927, on the family farm near Navarre, the son of Jess Sr. and Leah Deines Riffel. He attended Chapman High School with the class of 1944. The funeral service was Tuesday, May 31, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Shady Brook, north of Herington, with the Rev. John Riebhoff officiating. Burial was in Liberty Township No. 33 Cemetery (Langhofer/Riffel Home Cemetery) southwest of Woodbine. Penwell-Gabel Funeral Homes Herington Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Riffel was a farmer/stockman. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Shady Brook and served on all of the church committees at one time or another, and currently was serving as elder. He was a charter member of Woodbine Lions Club, a 4-H leader with the Jolly Jayhawkers, and he served on the Woodbine Co-op Board. He married Hope M. ODoniel on June 6, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ramona. She survives of the home. He also is survived by a daughter, Linda Jones and her husband, Jim, McPherson; and two sons, Richard Riffel and his wife, Margaret, Abilene, and Russell Riffel and his wife, Margie, Woodbine; a sister, Diana Beecham and her husband, Roger, Woodbine; seven grandchildren, Heath Riffel and his wife, April, Jake Riffel, Sam Riffel, Melissa Jones and her fiance', David Welch, Angela Jones, Amy Riffel and Matthew Riffel; and four great grandchildren, Austin, Kayla, Elizabeth and Dylan. Mr. Riffel was preceded in death by four brothers, Elmer Riffel, Orville Riffel at the age of 3, Donald Riffel and Leon Riffel; a sister, LeAnna Joy Riffel at the age of 4; and his parents. The family requests memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, to the Woodbine Fire Department, LWML of Immanuel Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory, Herington Chapel, 404 S. Broadway, Herington, Kan. 67449-3038.