Arthur W. Riddle

Arthur W. "Art" Riddle, 82, of Chetopa, Kansas, passed away at 2:53 p.m., Sunday, December 24, 2017 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

He was born August 2, 1935 in Craig County, Oklahoma to Earl Alfred and Louie Florence (David) Riddle.  As a young boy, Art grew up in rural Chetopa.  He attended school in Chetopa and was a 1953 graduate of Chetopa High School.

Following high school, he attended Tulsa Business College for one year before entering the United States Army in 1955.  After serving his country for 22 years, including two tours in Vietnam, he retired as Sergeant Major in 1977.  Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Chetopa where he worked as a construction contractor while earning his Bachelor of Science degree at Pittsburg State University.  In 1986, he began teaching construction and woodworking at Chetopa High School.  In 1997, Art retired from teaching.

He attended the First Baptist Church in Chetopa and was a 49-year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he had served as a trustee in earlier years.  Art enjoyed making furniture as a hobby.

He and Mary Sue Perky were married June 2, 1959 in Miami, Oklahoma.  She preceded him in death on January 21, 2009.

Survivors include:

One Son – Larry W. Riddle of Damascus, VA

Three Daughters – Carol Gross of Pittsburg, KS

Judy Almond of Parsons, KS

Brenda Herndon and her husband, Paul, of Chetopa, KS

Eight Grandchildren

Six Great-Grandchildren

Four Brothers – William Riddle of Junction City, KS

Roger Riddle of Chetopa, KS

Rodney Riddle of Baxter Springs, KS

Glen Riddle of Chula Vista, CA

One Sister – Linda Bennett of Commerce, OK

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Wilfred Riddle; and two sisters, Wilda Remington and Arlene Burnett.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Chetopa with Rev. Clarence Newman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa with military honors given by the Ft. Riley Funeral Detail.  The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the VFW Post No. 10508 in Chetopa.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.