George Edward Ridder

George E. Ridder, 60, of Roodhouse passed into his Heavenly Home Saturday, July 20, 2013 as the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident June 28, 2013. He was born July 14, 1953 in Jacksonville, the son of Fredrick S. and Lucy V. Allen Ridder. He married Patricia J. Kelley Oct. 26, 1984 in Jacksonville. Surviving is his wife, Pat Ridder; daughter, Kaci (husband, Jason) Havlin all of Roodhouse; mother, Lucy Ridder of Jacksonville; brother, Joe (wife, Jenn) Ridder of Springfield; sister, Stephanie Myers of Jacksonville; and several nieces and nephews. His father, Fredrick Ridder and brother-in-law, Dick Myers, preceded him in death. George attended the Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville and All Saints in White Hall. He attended Franklin High School where he played basketball for the Franklin Flashes and graduated in 1971. George attended Illinois College where he played basketball for the Blueboys and graduated in 1975. He taught special education and physical education for North Greene School District, and he coached girls junior high basketball and boys/girls track. He served as the athletic director for North Greene Junior High School for the past several years. George served as the truancy officer for the North Greene School District for several years prior to teaching. He also played Santa Claus for many years for the needy children in the North Greene District. He was a member of the White Hall Masonic Lodge #80 AF&AM and the Rasna Shrine. George was very community minded and served on many boards such as the Community Economical Development Board for several years. Children were George’s life. He loved being with them, teaching them, and coaching them. A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the North Greene High School in White Hall. The family will greet friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at the school. A private committal service will be held at the Manchester Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Coach Ridder Memorial Fund that will provide assistance in athletic related expenses for the school and students in care of North Greene School District.

George Edward Ridder

July 14, 1953 - July 20, 2013