Earl Warren Riggs

Earl Warren Riggs, 92, of Bloomington passed away peacefully in his sleep at Hearthstone rehab care in Bloomington on Saturday after a brief illness and treatment at Bloomington Hospital. He was born on September 7, 1923 in Oak Park, IL, to Marie and Wiley Morton Riggs. He had three brothers Walter, Harold, and Frederick “Fritz”. Tony Vestuto, was Earl’s step-brother from Wiley’s second wife, Aurelia.

At seventeen years old, Earl joined the US Air Force, and proudly served in WW II as a gunner on a B-17 bomber. He maintained yearly contact for many years with his squadron members, meeting in various European locations in which they had served closely together.

Earl met and married the love of his life, Leona Gertrude Haley, upon returning from the war to the Chicago area. They were married on December 27, 1947, having just recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. He and “Lee” moved to Champaign-Urbana, IL, where Earl completed his degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He began working in Chicago, and then moved to Bloomington, IN, where he worked initially at Sarkes Tarzian, Inc in the semi-conductor division; he then had a long career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSA Crane), where he became the naval representative for NATO. In his personal life he was an avid private pilot, and loved the outdoors, snow skiing, leisure boating, and doing construction/remodeling projects with his five sons in his homes and on his beloved “farm” in Guthrie, IN.

Earl was the proud father of five sons and daughters-in-law; Glenn and Sally (Gorman) Riggs, Memphis, IN; Peter and Julie (Judah) Riggs, Guthrie, IN; Paul and Betty (McLaughlin) Riggs, Floyds Knobs, IN; Christopher and Joyce (Vogel) Riggs, Heltonville, IN; and Daniel and Michelle(Wagoner) Riggs, New Albany, IN. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.

Earl and Lee were members of St. Charles Catholic Church in Bloomington. He was very active in community life, serving vigorously on the Monroe Reservoir Task Force and his condominiums’ associations.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home; 4150 E. Third St with a funeral service to immediately follow at 5:00 p.m. with Father Thomas Kovatch officiating.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to the Alzheimer’s Association @ Alz.org

or to the Boy Scouts of America National Council

Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com