Obituary for Owen A. Riddle, Jr.
Owen A. Riddle, 70, passed away at his home at Anthon, Iowa on Juneξ15, 2015. There will be visitation Friday, June 19, 2015 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with a memrial service at 3:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon. There will be a private burial at Bethel Piero Cemetery in rural Oto, Iowa with military graveside honors provided by the former VFW Post #9124 of Oto, Iowa and the American Legion McNiff Post #389 of Anthon. Owen Artin Riddle Jr., son of Owen Artin Riddle and Mildred Inez (Oldaker) Riddle was born in Sioux City, Iowa on October 28, 1944.ξ The second child of three, Owen grew up on the family farm in Anthon where they raised cattle, hogs and corn.ξ Owen was active in 4-H and always enjoyed trips to the Sioux City Stockyards with his father.ξ He graduated from Anthon-Oto High School in 1962.ξ Committed to serving his country, he joined the Air Force and served in Vietnam in 1967-68. ξIn 1968, he married Janice Luft.ξ After finishing his service in the Air Force they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he began his career with Farmers National Company.ξ In 1972, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he worked for Security National Bank from 1974-81. ξOwen was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Bethany Jo in 1975 and Allison Loraineξin 1979 and soon thereafter moved back to the family farm in Anthon, Iowa where he turned his focus back to his love of livestock and farming.ξ When he wasn't building playhouses or digging their own personal pool in the backyard, Owen was active in 4-H and was always proud of the girls' champion sheep.ξ He also was active in the White Horse Mounted Patrol, as the family made trips across the country to ride in parades. Owen was passionate about reading and education.ξξ For years, he enjoyed his time as an adjunct professor at Morningside College.ξ Specifically, Owen loved reading and learning about Lewis and Clark and the men and women who first explored the area he called home.ξ He also was an accomplished writer and poet, always quick to read family and friends the latest personalized poems he had created.ξ He was a talented craftsman, creating any furniture the girls admired in the city out of scrap metal.ξ He loved life on the farm and was happiest caring for his livestock or in the field on his faithful Farmall tractors. He was a proud father, telling anyone that would listen about his two girls and their accomplishments, usually through a poem.ξ He had many nicknames, Babs, Butch but was proudest of his "Papa O" nickname that he received from his three grandkids (Brady, Bailey and Madison). He is survived his wife Janice, his two daughters Beth (Riddle) Meier and husband Brandon of Oklahoma City and Allison (Riddle) Bagley and her husband Bobby of Swoope, Virginia, his brother Al and wife Yvonne Riddle and his three grandchildren, Brady and Bailey Meier and Madison Bagley.ξ He was preceded in death by his sister Charm and parents. Memorials can be made to the Woodbury County Fair Association.
Service:
Memorial Service ξFriday, June 19, 2015 3:00 p.m.ξ
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady St.ξ Anthon, Iowaξ
Visitation:
Friday, June 19, 2015 1:00-3;00 p.m.ξ
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, Iowaξ
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Service:
Memorial Service ξFriday, June 19, 2015 3:00 p.m.ξ
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady St.ξ Anthon, Iowaξ
Visitation:
Friday, June 19, 2015 1:00-3;00 p.m.ξ
Armstrong Funeral Home 402 East Brady Street Anthon, Iowaξ
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