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Benjamin Rigby, 88, Woodstock

Benjamin Rigby, 88, Woodstock, died peacefully Jan. 5, 2016, at his home surrounded by family. 

He was born Feb. 2, 1927, to Benjamin and Anna (Wilson) Rigby in Crystal Lake.

On May 7, 1949, he married Joyce Eckert in Crystal Lake. 

He graduated in 1945 from Crystal Lake High School.

He served in the U.S. Army in Italy from 1947 to 1948, and he was awarded the Purple Heart for combat duty from 1950 to 1951, during the Korean War.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Woodstock, and held various roles. He loved others and served God in all he did. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts for 13 years and managed and coached various Little League teams. He served on the city of Woodstock Police and Fire Commission during the terms of Mayors Cooney and Kuhn, and after 36 years of employment with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, he retired in 1983. He then worked with his sons at Rigby Brothers Lawn Service. 

He spent the winters in Bonita Springs, Fla., with his wife and volunteered at the Timber-Lee Christian Camp in East Troy, Wis., during the summer months. 

Above all, he enjoyed being with his family. He spent countless hours cheating at cards, swinging on the porch and having fun with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who dearly loved him.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, David (Kathie), Johnsburg, Paul (Carol), Glenview, John (Marla), Woodstock, and Mark (Jennifer), Woodstock; 11 grandchildren, Benjamin Rigby, Kristin (Jesse) Messerli, David (Lauren) Rigby, Michael (Elizabeth) Rigby, Elizabeth (Greg) Masching, Stephen (Karis) Rigby, Ryan (Jeff) Mousty, Nicole (Nathan) Huiras, Jessie (Jeremiah) Justice, Amy Rigby and Christopher Rigby; 13 great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Tyler, Nathan and Dillan Mousty, Jovi, Indiana, and Jacob Messerli, Grey and Eli Rigby, Caleb, Annabelle and Eleanor Masching and Caroline Rigby.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Annabel Rigby and Pearl (Wesley) Judson; and a grandson, Jacob Matthew Rigby. 

Memorials can be made in his name to Timber-Lee Christian Center, 2381 Scout Road, East Troy, WI 53120 or First Presbyterian Church, 2018 N. Route 47, Woodstock, IL 60098.

The visitation and memorial service were held Jan. 9 at First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery. 

 

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