Paul A. Riggs
June 15, 1926 — March 31, 2016
Paul A. Riggs, 89, of East Moline, IL, died Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA, surrounded by his loved ones. He was known in the community as "The Werther’s Man".
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. with the funeral beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following the services. A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2016, at National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be conducted by the Moline American Legion Post 246. Those wishing to attend the graveside service should meet at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., at 2 p.m. on Monday. Memorials may be made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House or to the American Heart Association.
Paul was born on June 15, 1926, in Chariton, IA, the son of Joseph and Edith Darling Riggs. He married Ester L. Plowman on February 14, 1970, in Rock Island, IL. He worked on the Rock Island Railroad as a claims agent, retiring in 1981. Later, he worked as a safety officer for Metra System in Chicago, retiring in 1986.
Paul was a veteran, having proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. Also, he was a mason and shriner. He loved to golf and especially enjoyed flying. Paul had held his pilot’s license since 1950.
Survivors include his loving wife, Ester; children, Sandi (Tom) Doering, Le Claire, IA, Joette Riggs, Portland, OR, Stacey (Greg) Theiringer, Brooklyn Park, MN, and Tom (Sandy) Riggs, Parkview, IA; grandchildren, Shelby Petersen, Haley Riggs, Rachel Gilman, Luke Riggs, Logan Theiringer, Garrett Theiringer; great grandchildren, Alexis Boeh-Petersen; brother, Francis (Barb) Riggs, Sacramento, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers; and 1 sister.
Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.