Jack J. Riffell

Jack J. Riffell, 95, of Somonauk, Illinois formerly of Aurora and Waterman, IL passed away Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Prairie Crossing Living and Rehabilitation Center in Shabbona, IL. He was born September 4, 1922 in Tipp City, Ohio, the son of Charles and Laura Bell Smith Riffell. Jack moved to Aurora, IL when he was two years old. He married Janice Louise Pelzer on December 2, 1950 in Aurora, IL. Jack was a proud Veteran of WW II having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a truck driver for 27 ½ years and later worked at Fermilab for 18 years in the material distribution and as a coordinating foreman. Jack owned and rode a motorcycle before he owned a car. He actively enjoyed dragsters, go-cart racing, roller hockey, trains, hunting rabbits, hobbies that included horses, ponies, and mules, fishing and was a serious Euchre player. Jack was always inventing things, never idle. Being an active CB user, Jack went by the handle "Green Cricket" for many years. He was a member of the Kane County Mounted Patrol and Aurora Fish Club, having 42 fish tanks in his basement breeding Tropical Fish. Jack was a vocal spectator of all his kids and grandkids sporting events.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janice of Shabbona, IL; four sons, Daniel Julie Riffell, Theodore Riffell, Timothy Riffell all of Waterman, IL and Jack J. Diane Riffell, Jr. of Somonauk, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Daniel, Brandon, Tiffany, Stephanie, Theodore Jr., Michael, Derrick, Tyler, Joshua, Jamie, T.J., Tyson, Troy and Jaxson; fourteen great grandchildren, Jackson, Sydney, Dylan, Danny, Uriah, Jenessa, Jakob, Ava, Jack, Marcella, Mia, Levi, Corbin, and Axel; one great great grandson, Grayson; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three infant children: Sandra Lynn, James William, and Joel Dean; one grandchild, Nicole Louise; four brothers: Emery, Joseph, David and Theodore Riffell.
Memorial Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk, IL with Pastor Derek Johnsen officiating with Military Honors to follow. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Somonauk. Burial will be private at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora, IL. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Fox Valley Older Adults Services or to Unity Hospice. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home13160 W. RT 34PO Box 404Somonauk, IL 60552815 498-2363