James Leonard RIGGINS

RIGGINS, LOATS, WILSON, ROBERTS, RAINES, GARCIA, CLEMENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/27/2007 at 10:16:15

James L. Riggins, 77, Eldora, died October 18, 2007 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Services were held Monday morning, October 22 at the Eldora United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Boatman officiating. Graveside services were held Monday afternoon at Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery, rural Belmond.

James Leonard was born November 12, 1929 in Dougherty, the son of Ross and Helen (Wilson) Riggins. The family moved to Alexander and he received his education there. On November 11, 1950 James married Marian A. Loats of Belmond. James served in the United States Army during the Korean War with the Seventh Infantry Division and was honorably discharged in 1952. He was awarded the Purple Heart for service to his country. In 1952 James and Marian moved to Eldora where he operated Jim Riggins Painting for over fifty years. He was also a rural mail carrier for fifteen years. James was a member of the Eldora United Methodist Church, Walter-Sayer Post 182 of the American Legion, Roll-Harless Post 3974 of the VFW, the Korean War Veteran's Association, the Seventh Infantry Division Association, the D.A.V, and the Purple Heart Association. James was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He loved to golf and bowled in a league in Eldora for many years. His wife died April 20, 2006.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brothers Russell, Robert, Donald and David Riggins. He is survived by daughter Catherine (Jeffry) Roberts of Downers Grove, IL; grandchildren Laura and Brian; sisters Betty Raines of Victor, MT, Dorothy (Leo) Garcia of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and Marvyl (Gordon) Clemens of Union; and brothers-in-law Fred Loats of Belmond and Kenneth (Marcy) Loats of Granville, OH.

October 23, 2007
©Belmond Independent 2007