Joseph William Riggles

Joseph William Riggles, 68, of Cass Lake, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, in Vero Beach Fla.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cass Lake with the Rev. Paul Larson officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, at the Cass Lake High School. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Cass Lake. A gathering will be held, after the service, at the Cass Lake American Legion Jack Kimball Post No. 284.

The Dennis Funeral Home of Cass Lake assisted the family in making funeral arrangements.

He was born Nov. 15, 1941, to Clifford and Clara (Shamp) Riggles in Cass Lake. He grew up and attended school in Cass Lake, graduating from Cass Lake High School in 1959. During high school, he worked as a dock boy at the Birch Villa Resort, where he made many lifelong friends. In 1960, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp, and was honorably discharged Dec. 15, 1965, after serving in Germany, Turkey and in the United States. He returned to Cass Lake, where he owned and operated the J & K Sweet Shop with his brother Kenny. He was a member of the Riggles Ellis Trio Band during the 60’s and 70’s. He went on to work for Alto construction. He also worked on the pipeline and was employed at Wheeler Lumber and Bridge in Cass Lake. In January of 1972, he began working for the U.S. Post Office in Cass Lake. He retired from his position as a clerk and OIC in 1992. After his retirement he and his brother started the Riggles Bus Company which began in September of 1971, and is still an active business serving Cass Lake and the surrounding area. He married Pat Schmidt in October of 1966 at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Walker. He and Pat raised their four children in Cass Lake and were always active in the community. He was an active member of St. Charles Catholic Church, serving on the church board. He was also a member of the Cass Lake Lions Club, Fire Department, Snowmobile Club, a Lifetime member of Cass Lake American Legion Jack Kimball Post No. 284 and a Pike Bay Board Member. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, ice fishing, RV camping, golfing and cooking. He was also a collector of old cars (his favorite being a 1930 Model A), and other collectibles.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Steve (Jessica) Riggles, Anita (Michael) Dickenson and Andria Riggles; his mother, Clara (Willard) Shamp Riggles Conner; four grandchildren; a sister; Arlene (Butch) Bubar and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Riggles; a son, Charles Riggles; brother, Kenneth Riggles, niece and nephew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Myelofibrosis Foundation at mpdfoundation.org or mail donation to MPD Foundation, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 375, Chicago, IL 60606.

Submit on-line condolences at dennisfuneralhome.com.

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