Virginia M Riddle, 83, of Plainfield, IL, formerly of Keokuk, IA died Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Unit in Joliet, IL.
Virginia (Hawkins) Riddle was born in Keokuk, IA July 7, 1937. She was raised on the family farm in rural Argyle, IA. She graduated from Argyle High School in 1954. She was very active in school. She was a drummer in the school band, cheerleader, worked on the school newspaper and was active in 4-H.
She was married to William Riddle for thirty-four years. He preceded her in death on August 14, 1989.
Virginia had been employed at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Keokuk and later at Pizza Hut in Keokuk, where she was the assistant manager until her retirement.
Virginia was generous with her time and talents. She volunteered as a teachers aide and was a member of the Torrence Grade School PTA. She was also a member of the Keokuk Art Center, Keokuk Community Fine Art Council and the Ft. Madison Area Art Association. She was a well known artist in the tri-state area. She had an outdoor gallery showing at her home and sponsored an art competition in Keokuk and Ft Madison in 2018. She also produced a music concert at the Grand Theatre in 2016, A Tribute to Willie Nelson with Kevin Kull and Friends to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and donated her paintings to various charities and organizations in the area. She was a big sister for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America for many years.
She is survived by her children, Randy (Alice) Riddle of Olathe, KS, Teresa (Jim) Bevering of Plainfield, IL and Robert (Barbara) Riddle of Keokuk, IA. She is also survived by her sister, June Hawkins Jobe Nellos of Warsaw, IL and eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Virginia is preceded in death by her, husband, William L Riddle, her parents, Roy and Daisy (Greer) Hawkins, brothers, Leroy Hawkins, Richard Hawkins, Harold “Sonny” Hawkins, Charles Hawkins and sisters, Betty Hawkins Anderson Tallman and Ruth Hawkins Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, at the Church of All Saints in Keokuk with Reverend David Brownfield, Ph.D. officiating. Burial will be in the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, IA. Social distancing requirements will be in place and masks are recommended at the church and funeral home. The service will be live streamed on Virginia’s tribute wall on the Vigen Memorial Home webpage or on the Church of All Saints Facebook page or on their YouTube site which can be found at www.allsaintskeokuk.org/live.
Visitation will be after 1 p.m., Thursday, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with family meeting with friends from 6-8 p.m. A Christian vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m., during visitation.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com
