St. Clair County Obits

Elva Wirth Ridgway

Services Held Friday
Funeral services for Wirth Ridgway, 77, were held Friday, December 30, at the First Baptist Church in Appleton City, with Rev. William Moore and Rev. Joe Wix, Jr., officiating. "Blessed Assurance" and "Good Night Here, Good Morning Up There" were sung by Mrs. Lawrence Burns, accompanied by Mrs. Dave Huff at the organ.
Pallbearers were Jim Bock, Marion Bock, Roy Reasoner, Claude D. Bock, Lynn Reasoner and C.W. Bauer. Interment was in Appleton City Cemetery under the direction of the Eckhoff Funeral Home.
Elva Wirth Ridgway, son of Christofer Columbus (Lum) Ridgway and Nancy Elizabeth Underwood, was born August 14, 1889, near Appleton City and died December 28, 1966 at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 15 days. He lived most of his life in St. Clair County, with the exception of eight years he and his family lived in Henry County.
He was the father of nine children. His eldest son, Elva, by a former marriage, was killed in an accident on the farm at the age of 15.
On December 30, 1917 he was married to Miss Flo Paul and to this union eight children were born. An infant son and infant daughter died at birth. A grandson also passed away at birth. In 1916 he made profession of faith at the church in Johnson City. In 1932 he was baptized into the Appleton City Baptist Church with his wife who was a member there.
When in Henry County he helped in a Sunday School at a school house. He was Superintendent there a few years then when coming to St. Clair County, he and his family helped to start a Sunday School at Spring Grove and was superintendent there a few years.
Mr. Ridgway was a friend to all and took much interest in his church and community and attended church regularly as long as he was able.
He leaves his wife of the home; four sons, Joe, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Gene of Calhoun, James Lee, Harrisonville, Eddie of St. Louis; two daughters, Elaine Noble of Appleton City and Floee Lynch of Landcaster, California; five grandsons, six granddaughters, 1 great grandson and one brother, Arve Ridgway of Mission, Kansas, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mr. and Mrs. Ridgway would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on December 30.