Mrs. Lola F. Riddle, 91 of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 7:22 AM on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Wynnfield Crossing of Rochester.
On September 24, 1929, Lola Frances Pierce was born in Rochester. She was a treasured daughter of James Francis and Gracie Belle Cook Pierce. Growing up she shared her childhood with a sister Carol and brother Gene. Proudly she graduated with the class of 1948 from Rochester High School. During her high school years Lola took wood shop class and built a beautiful heirloom quality bookcase.
In the First Baptist Church of Rochester, Lola and Charles Lee Riddle were married on June 27, 1951 . They shared 64 years of life’s adventures. From their union came four wonderful children Ron, Douglas, Duane and Denise. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.
Initiating her professional career, Lola was a dental assistant with Dr. Harold Iler DDS for four years, then took a time out to raise her children. Lola returned to the workforce as deputy auditor for Fulton County. She later was elected as Fulton County's first female auditor and later retired serving Fulton County citizens for more than two decades in the Auditor's office.
Lola was devoted to the First Baptist Church for over 70 years. Prior to her years at First Baptist, she was a member of Tiosa Brethren where she taught Sunday School Class and provided musical accompaniment to the congregation on Sunday mornings. Lola was a member of the Fulton County Extension Board, What Not Home Ec Club and more recently the Busy Belles Home Ec Club. She also was a member of the Fulton County Republican Women, Fulton County Friends of the Library and the Fulton County Historical Society where she worked for many years.
Gifted with the arts and creativity, Lola baked and decorated many wedding cakes and special birthday cakes over the years. She enjoyed collecting Longenberger baskets and Fiesta Ware. She and Charlie looked forward to many spirited games of canasta with friends. With a great passion for music Lola and Charlie made music playing duets for church.
Left to cherish Lola's memory are a daughter, Denise Williams and husband Randy, two sons, Ronald Riddle and wife Judy, Duane Riddle and wife Donna all of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Peggy Riddle of Akron; ten grandchildren, Alan Riddle and wife Jennifer, Brook Nieter and husband Aaron, Amy Mast and husband Jay, Melissa Riddle, James Riddle, Charles Owen Riddle, Andrew Michael Riddle, Jeremiah Riddle, Stephen Williams, Robert Williams and wife Samantha; 13 great-grandchildren with another blessing due to arrive on January 22, 2022 and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Lola in death are her parents, beloved husband Charles Lee on April 10, 2016, infant daughter, Janice Louise, son Douglas Riddle, sister, Carol Hill, brother Gene Pierce who passed on April 3, 1974 as a result of the tornado.
A celebration of the life of Mrs. Lola F. Riddle will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 14, 2021 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Dr. Mark Spencer will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 PM on Monday, September 13, 2021 and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Richland Center IOOF Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fulton County Historical Society through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, 227 E. 9th St., Rochester, IN 46975. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
