E. Gordon "Gordy" Riffle 1926 - 2005

RIFFLE, WESSMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/30/2019 at 21:54:48

Sioux City Journal
6 November 2005

E. Gordon "Gordy" Riffle, 79, of Camp Verde, Ariz., formerly of Sioux City, went to be with his Savior on Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, after a brief fight with complications from surgery.

Services were held Thursday, Nov. 3, at Verde River Resort Clubhouse ("Gordy's church") in Arizona under the direction of Hepler Funeral Home in Camp Verde. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in McCook Cemetery, North Sioux City, with the Rev. John Hantla officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel.

E. Gordon Riffle was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Chicago, Ill.

He was married to the love of his life, Arlene Wessman on March 18, 1947, in the Evangelical Free Church of Sioux City. Gordy and Arlene had four children, Rob (Sharon) Riffle of Flagstaff, Ariz., Merrilee (Paul) Bales of Perry, Iowa, E. Jay (Rose) Riffle of Hackensack, Minn. and Melody (David) Klingensmith of Langley, B.C., Canada.

Gordon was a store manager for Tollers Drug Company in Sioux City; a salesman for Bankers Life of Des Moines; a pastor of his home church, the First Evangelical Free Church for over 16 years; and a tour guide with Goodwill Industries. Gordon and Arlene retired to Camp Verde in 1997, where he continued to preach the gospel at the Verde River Resort and on an interim basis with other churches in the area. After 9/11, Gordon became a V.I.P. deputy for the Yavapai County Sheriff's office until declining health forced his retirement.

Gordy will always be remembered for his booming laugh, his great zest for life, his sense of humor and his love of God -- an incongruous mix for some, but not for him.

In addition to his wife, Arlene and four children, he leaves behind 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joye and Edward Riffle; and a sister, Joyanne Gerking.

Memorials may be directed to Hidden Acres Camp, Dayton, Iowa.