John T. Ridler (1863-1944)

FINCH, VON LACKUM, FULLER, KUNKLE

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 5/19/2006 at 11:33:49

From Oelwein, Iowa, newspaper, February 1944.

Ridler, Prominent Citizen; Dies

John T. Ridler, 80, of 24 North Frederick, passed away at his home this morning at 1:35 after being bed-ridden for the past two weeks.

The body will lie in state at the Hintz Funeral Home until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church in Oelwein, with Rev. L. W. Hauter and Rev. W. E. Epps conducting the services. Masonic ritualistic ceremony will be held at Woodlawn cemetery.

Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Eslie Finch of Hazleton, and Mrs. John von Lackum of Waterloo, two sons, Frank Ridler of Chicago and Rush Ridler of Maryville, Kansas. Mrs. Ridler preceded him in death, September 4 1943. One brother, Charles, Oelwein, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Fuller, of Mason City also survive him. Also nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

John Ridler was born at El Paso, Ill., August 8, 1863, the son of Thomas and Mary Ridler and came to Oelwein with his parents in January 1883. He was married to Elizabeth Kunkle of Oelwein June 22, 1889.

Mr. Ridler established and operated the Gilt Edge Creamery where he introduced butter in pound packages and milk in bottles. They moved to town in 1902 where he engaged in the dry goods and grocery business, and later in the furniture and undertaking business.

He has been active in many community affairs, being a member of the following organizations in Oelwein: Hebron Lodge No. 130 A. F. and A. M., a fifty year member of the Oelwein Chapter No. 45 of the O. E. S.,; El-Kahir Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., Iowa Consistory No. 2 A. A. S. R., also Grandfather of the local Order of the Rainbow. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah. He served the Red Cross as Chairman for many years and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for 19 years. Mr. Ridler has been a member of the Oelwein Fire Department since 1903 and at the time of his death was the oldest member of this organization.

He also was weather observer for Oelwein for over 50 years [.?..] officially with the state for 20 years.