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John DeWitt Riddell
John Riddell Obituary
1930 - 2025
John DeWitt Riddell passed away peacefully in his sleep after a short term on hospice at Midwest Medical Center, Galena, Illinois. He was born in March of 1930 and recently moved to Galena Illinois to be near the Steve and Luke Kovacic family.
Even with all John's accomplishments on this earthly planet, John did not wish for an end-of-life celebration of 95 years. He had lived a long and prosperous life with his first marriage to Nancy Merservey of 30 years, whom he lost to cancer, raising two sons and concluding with his marriage of 33 years to Dorothy Kovacic Riddell.
Friends and family of John knew him as a kind, considerate and a civic-minded gentleman. John's strong demeanor allowed him to recover from two strokes.
John was an Eagle Scout, a Scout Leader, a High School Wrestling State Champion as well as going to State while attending Kansas State University.
John became an Engineer after graduating from MIT and also received his Master's Degree. He attended seven schools and three colleges. As a Civil Engineer and manager for 3M, John was responsible for building many significant structures.
He was an accomplished sailor, as well as a man who could fix just about anything from parts just laying around
John held a high belief and faith in the Lord. He was a Church Elder and attended, as well as, led many men's group bible studies and was the chief usher.
As long-standing Rotarian, and past president, he gave back to the communities where he lived.
John is survived by his son J. Scott Riddell and daughter in law Lenore Riddell. Grandchildren Marika Riddell, Aaron Ries and Amber Mascarenas; daughter in law Vicki Butler (Greg Riddell); Stepson Steve Kovacic, stepdaughter Kym Kovacic, grandson Luke Kovacic (Alyssa Kovacic), great grandchildren, Paetyn, Rylan and Kason.
John will be forever in our hearts, gone but not forgotten.
John was preceded in death by his parents John Calvin and Pauline Margarite Puls Riddell, former wife Nancy Jean Riddell, son Gregory Dewitt Riddell and grandson Hunter Mascarenas. John's remains will be buried next to his former wife, Nancy, in Bronswood Cemetery, Oakbrook, Illinois.
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