Charles W. Riggleman
Charles William "Buster" Riggleman, 77, a resident of Heartland of Keyser Nursing Home, formerly of Vine Street, Westernport, MD, died with his family by his side on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the nursing home.
Born on September 20, 1931 at McCoole, MD, he was a son of the late S.H. Roosevelt and Frances (Chapman) Riggleman. He also was preceded in death by his eldest sister, Pauline Riley and a son-in-law, Dennis W. Ashby, Sr.
Mr. Riggleman was retired from the Westvaco Luke Mill with 37 years of service. He served as a former fire chief with the McCoole Volunteer Fire Department and also was a member of the Keyser and Tri-Towns Rescue Squads, serving as a driver, EMT and later as a medic. He was a US Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving aboard the USS Bairoko. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Barton American Legion Post # 189, Barton, MD and Kelly-Mansfield Post # 52, American Legion, Piedmont, WV.
Mr. Riggleman attended Bruce High School and Catherman's Business School and was a member of the Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Westernport. He loved nature and was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He also enjoyed camping and reading and was a loyal sports fan of NASCAR, the Earnhardts, the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Cubs and the WVU Mountaineer Football Team.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Dottie (Legge) Riggleman; his children, Kim Bradley and husband Steve of Westernport, Pam Mentzer and husband Bill of Waynesboro, PA, Christa Braithwaite and husband Joe of Piedmont and Steve Riggleman and wife Kim of Westernport; his grandchildren, Christopher Pearce and wife Mindy of Keyser, Jeremy Bradley of Arthur, WV and Elizabeth Mentzer of Waynesboro; two step grandchildren, Nikki Markle and husband Kellen of Pearsall, TX and JR Braithwaite of Keyser; great-granddaughters, Sami, Tiffani and Autumn Pearce and step great-grandson, Xander Markle. Also surviving are three sisters, Phyllis Brotemarkle of Frostburg, MD, Roberta Lee and husband Ken of Houston, TX and Mary Riggleman of Cumberland, MD; his mother-in-law, Hazel Ross, a resident of the Moran Manor Nursing Home, Westernport; brothers-in-law, Charles Legge and wife Bonnie of Westernport and Evan DeWitt and wife Susan of Saltsburg, PA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
At Mr. Riggleman's request, he unselfishly donated his body to the WV Human Gift Registry in Morgantown, WV in the hopes of helping to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease or cancer.
A memorial service will be held at the Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Westernport, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Sally L. Bartling officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be accorded.
Inurnment will be held at a later date at Philos Cemetery, Westernport, MD.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to either the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Office of Development, 1501 NW 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 or to the American Cancer Society, 182 N. Mechanic Street, Cumberland, MD 21502.
The Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Mr. Riggleman's obituary at www.smithfuneralhomes.net.
