John Ridder Obituary, Death – John J. and Effie Coker Ridder welcomed their first child into the world on October 21st, 1923 in the city of Jacksonville. John was their son. His wife of 68 years, Agnes “Ag” Taylor, passed away on January 8, 2015, one day prior to his own passing. The pair had been married for a combined 68 years at the time of their passing. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Rainey (and her husband Bob), who lives in Lebanon, Tennessee; his four grandchildren, Sean Saylor (and his wife Jennifer) of Harvard, Chris Saylor (and her husband Julie) of Pontiac, Cara Findlay (and her husband Jed) of Ankeny, Iowa, and Tricia Mattes (and her husband Graham) of Nashville, Tennessee; and nine great grandchildren, Peyton and Jase Saylor, Ben and Jack Findlay, Griffin, Owen
One of his daughters, Beverly Saylor, who is survived by her husband Mike of Virginia, as well as four of his sisters, Nellie Ridder, Virgil Sperry, Rose Hartmeister, and Clara Chumley, and three of his brothers, George, James, and Andrew Ridder, passed away before him. Beverly Saylor’s husband Mike of Virginia also survives her, along with the rest of his family. His surviving daughter is married to a man named Mike from Virginia.
John, a graduate of Jacksonville High School, enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and spent the years 1943 through 1945 serving in the Philippines during World War II. In recognition of his valor during the Battle for Luzon, he was awarded both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Both of these decorations are worn on the left breast. Many members of John’s family were not aware of the praises he won when he was serving in the military due to the fact that John was so humble.
He was a member of the American Legion with a membership that would not ever expire.
After relocating to Illinois, he began a lengthy and fruitful career in the building and construction industry. John Chumley was known for his work with numerous generations of the Chumley family, and he was considered to be one of the most skilled finish carpenters in the area. In his spare time, he enjoyed doing things like hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing, and rooting for the University of Illinois and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs.