Charles Lee Riddle

Charles Lee Riddle

Mr. Charles Lee Riddle, 89, of Argos, passed away at 4:35 a.m., Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester.

On April 1, 1927, Charles Lee was born in Rochester, the treasured son of Charles E. and Irma O. Schertz Riddle. As one of three children, growing up he shared his childhood with two sisters, Norita and Dorcas. In 1945 he graduated with the honor of being named the Valedictorian of his class from Richland Center High School. His younger sister Dorcas was the Salutatorian of the same class.

Following high school, patriotism beckoned and Charles answered the call by joining the US Army during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1947.At Rochester’s First Baptist Church on June 27, 1951 Charles and Lola F. Pierce were married. Together they shared more than 64 years of life’s adventures. From their union came four wonderful children, a daughter and three sons. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of ten grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

As a young man about 30-years-old, Charles Lee began his transportation assignment with Richland Center School. This was the perfect compliment to his farming operation and family. Back in the day, bus drivers were charged with providing the bus and worked as independent contractors. The Riddle family bus allowed the family to enjoy many summer time adventures. An accomplished handyman, Charles created a conversion out fitting the bus with bunk beds, stove and an ice box cooled by a 50 lb. block of ice. The 54 passenger bus was an in line six, with a speed topping out at 45 miles per hour. The Riddle family enjoyed camping out and traveled to destinations including Canada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. The family would spend a week camping at France Park allowing Charles Lee to return home for milking and Lola to work at the courthouse.

When Richland Center and Rochester consolidated, Charles began transportation with Rochester Schools. His total career driving the school bus was 50 years. He garnered great respect from the students, athletes and choir members he traveled with safely getting them to their destination and back home. He took great joy in getting to know the riders on his daily routes.

Annually the holiday season brought a treasured gift from Mr. Riddle specially packaged he provide each of the kids with a new pencil, apple and candy bar for Christmas. The last day of school was when he treated the kids to ice cream at the Flagpole and reversed the route so the kids could see where their friends lived. Mr. Riddle found the extra curricular activities especially enjoyable, hauling the Zebra men of the mats and Mrs. Judy Hubbard’s Manitous among his favorites. Dedicated to the kids, he would enjoy the concerts or cheer them on to victory, supporting them, being with them and for them, always offering compliments and words of encouragement.

Life on the farm brought Charles Lee great contentment and happiness. He was proud to oversee his fine herd of Holsteins. He looked forward to annually planting a truck patch garden and of course autumn’s bountiful harvest. His flower gardens accented the landscape, especially his beautiful gladiolus. Each spring brought on the harvest of the syrup from the Maple Syrup camp. Every Sunday the family enjoyed Dad’s home made ice cream, with an arsenal of flavors at his disposal.

An amazing man with many talents, Charles was proficient as a pianist. Self-taught he played almost any request playing by ear. The duo of Lola and Charles provided joyful music for a number of weddings. With passion for mankind, he proudly donated exactly 199 pints of blood to the American Red Cross.

Left to cherish Charles’ memory are his wife: Lola Riddle; a daughter: Denise (Randy) Williams, Rochester; three sons: Ronald Riddle and wife Judy of Rochester, Douglas Riddle and wife Peggy of Akron, Duane Riddle and wife Donna of Rochester; 10 grandchildren: Alan Riddle of Rochester, Brooke (Aaron) Nieter, Warsaw, Amy Thompson, Rochester, Melissa Riddle of Summersville, S.C.; James Riddle, Akron; Charles Owen Riddle of Rochester, Andrew Michael Riddle, Rochester; Jeremiah Riddle, Rochester; Stephen Williams, Rochester; Robert Williams and wife Samantha of Leiters Ford; four great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: John Kuhn, Fredrick VanDuyne, both of Rochester; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Charles Lee in death are his parents; an infant daughter: Janice Louise; and two sisters: Norita Kuhn and Dorcas VanDuyne.