John Henry Riddle was born April 4, 1931, in Roodhouse, Illinois to C.A. Riddle and Luella Riddle.
John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1949, served in the Naval Reserves for 2 years, and then entered the U.S. Army in 1952. He retired from the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant in 1975. He was notable for receiving the first U.S. Army Culinary Award ever presented and was recognized as maintaining the Best Mess Hall in Europe.
He traveled the world during his time of service, to include Germany, Greenland, coast to coast in the U.S., and finally Vietnam.
In recognition of his dedicated military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with five Knots, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with four Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He was preceded to death by his parents, seven brothers and sisters, and wife, Rosa Emilie Schwarz.
John is survived by daughter, Luella Rosa Skopak (Cliff); son, Alexander Peter Riddle (Alyce); grandchildren, Shane Skopak (Ashley), Nathan Skopak (Melissa), Tyler Skopak, Rosemary Beall (Erik), Tiffany Riddle; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Beall, Sophia Beall, Alexander Mock, Nicholas Mock, Kaley Skopak; sister, Betty Wallace; and many other loving family members.
John was a man that lived life to the fullest.
Visitation will be from 10 am – 8 pm Monday at Buchanan Funeral Services. Graveside services with full military honors to celebrate his life at 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Fort Sill National Cemetery.
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