Lorence Riggle

Lorence Allan “Luke” Riggle, 84, of Dover, passed away peacefully in the Community Hospice House on March 1, 2015.

Born in Dover on February 17, 1931, he was the son of the late Earl Conwell and Arta Levira (Bair) Riggle.

Luke was a 1949 graduate of New Philadelphia. On June 7, 1953, he married his lifelong partner and friend, the former Julia Ann “Judy” George. They resided in Tuscarawas County throughout their 61 years of marriage, and enjoyed long car rides taking in the beauty of the valley.

Together, they worshiped and were faithful members at the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. There, Luke was an usher, former Sunday School secretary/treasurer. After church, the Riggles were found dining at Dee’s Restaurant surrounded by dear friends.

Luke’s professional career spanned 40 years in the poultry business, serving as co-owner of Tuscarawas Poultry Inc. Throughout his lifetime, Luke loved to woodwork. After retirement in 1986, he devoted much time to making new and restoring old furniture. He also had a passion for antique clocks. He enjoyed collecting them, in addition to restoring, repairing, and selling them.

Gospel music, college football, playing the clarinet, and supporting children were all areas of great interest for Luke.

Most importantly, Luke loved to make people laugh through his storytelling. He was an honest, ethical, and grounded man who was devoted to his faith, his family, and his friends.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Judy, of Dover; his daughter, Karen LeBlanc of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, Jennifer (Micky) Pitre, Nickolas Naquin, and Lee LeBlanc; great-grandsons, Justin and Jonah Pitre, and Landon LeBlanc; his son-in-law, Tom Bennett; his sister-in-law, Iva Riggle of Dover; and numerous friends and extended family.

In addition to his parents, Luke was preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Ann Bennett; his brother James David Riggle; and his son-in-law, Dale LeBlanc.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. A service celebrating Luke’s life will be held in the First United Methodist Church on Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. with Pastors Jim Humphrey and Dan Eggan officiating. An additional hour of visitation will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Friends are invited back to the church fellowship hall where a meal will be prepared and served by Luke’s church family.

Memorial contributions in Luke’s memory may be directed to The First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 201 West High Ave., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave., New Philadelphia.