Frank R. Riddle







Frank R. Riddle, 59, of 3 Little Pine Place, Franklin, died at 9:39 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2008, after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Born June 20, 1948, in Franklin, he was a son of the late Frank Day Riddle and Barbara Sibley Riddle Daniels.

He was a 1966 graduate of Franklin High School. He received his bachelor’s degree and his LL.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Riddle began his professional career with Gent, Daniels and Thompson in 1973. In 1980 he opened his own practice. For several years he was privileged to practice law with his stepfather, Robert Y. Daniels. Riddle was a member and past president of the Venango County Bar Association.

He has been an active member of the Grace Lutheran Church since 1974. He served the church as assistant minister, catechist, Sunday school teacher, past president of church council and Eucharistic minister. He was also a lay minister and preached in many area churches. Before his illness he entered the TEEM program in preparation for becoming a minister.

Active in the community, Mr. Riddle was a member of the Franklin Elks Lodge, the Franklin Rotary Club, was a past president of the Franklin Club and past member of the Franklin Civic Operetta Board, and he delighted audiences with various roles in FCO productions.

Frank was well known for always having a joke to tell. He particularly enjoyed the times spent with his children, grandchildren and his study for the ministry.

On April 26, 1969, he married the former Judy Schilling, who survives along with a son, Brian T. Riddle and his wife, Kristine, of Greenville; a daughter, Rebecca Kristen and her husband, Greg, of McKeesport; and three grandchildren, Elias Mohr of Boston, Mass., and Liam and Virginia Riddle, both of Greenville.

Survivors also include his mother, Barbara Daniels of Sun City West, Ariz.; a brother, Robert Daniels and his wife, Pam, of Glendale, Ariz.; a sister, Leslie Ginter and her husband, Bryan, of Sacramento, Calif.; and four nieces, Cassandra and Chelsey Daniels of Glendale, Ariz., and Ashley and Rochelle Ginter of Sacramento, Calif.

Also surviving are special friends, Rodger and Peggy Lore of Franklin, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, stepfather and twin brother, Douglas Sibley Riddle.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Grace Lutheran Church, 737 Elk Street, Franklin, with the Rev. Timothy L. Alleman, pastor of the church, officiating.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to ALS Association, W. Pa-WV Chapter, 416 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, 15209; MDA ALS Division, 3300 E. Sunrise Dr., Tucson, Ariz. 85718; or the Grace Lutheran Church, 737 Elk Street, Franklin, 16323.