Harry W. Riddell, Jr., 78, a resident of Elimsport, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at his residence. Born Sunday, August 2, 1942 at Quiggleville, Lycoming Co., PA, he was a son of the late Harry W. and Sara E. (Meisel) Riddell, Sr. Harry married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ann Yocum, on September 1, 1962 and together they celebrated 58 years of marriage.
In 1960, at the age of 17, Harry fell and suffered a spinal cord injury but he never let his injury interfere with his dreams.
Harry was a 1960 graduate of Montgomery Area High School and Lock Haven State College in 1965. He enrolled in the masters program at Penn State and received his Master’s Degree in Education in 1987 from Bucknell University. Harry was hired by the Montgomery Area School District in 1965 as a combined 5th and 6th grade teacher at the Elimsport School and then when those two grades were transferred to Montgomery, he taught 4th grade until his retirement in 1997.
He was a member of the Elimsport United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and member of the Administrative Council for many years. He started the Pop Warner football team in Elimsport. They played with the Jersey Shore teams and wore cast off uniforms from Montgomery’s high school team until an anonymous donor told him to purchase uniforms and equipment for the team. Harry helped coach the Elimsport Little League baseball team for 25 years. He volunteered as an usher for the Little League Championship games at South Williamsport for 25 years retiring in 2017. In 1987 he was awarded the Handicapped Pennsylvanian of the Year Award and in 1994 the Gibson Rehabilitation Achievement Award. He was also honored in 1989 with a Victory Award for overcoming a handicap at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Lisa A Rule, Vero Beach, FL; Sherri and husband Chris Heckman of Milton; three siblings, Eugene and wife Bonnie Riddell, Sr. of Vero Beach, FL; Robert and wife Roxie Riddell, Sr. of Montgomery; Shirley and husband David Doran of Muncy; one sister-in-law, Edna Riddell of Montgomery. Harry is also survived by four grandchildren, Kyle Rule; Karli Smith; Korey Rule; Jayce Heckman and two great-grandchildren, Brayden Rule; Vanessa Rule. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard E. Riddell and his son-in-law, Steven Rule.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Elimsport United Methodist Church, 16145 S. Route 44 Highway, Allenwood, PA 17810 11:00 A.M. with Pastors Michael Hill and Max Furman, officiating. Friends may call at the church on Friday, October 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. or on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Interment will be in the Elimsport Cemetery. The family will provide the flowers. If desired, contributions may be made to either the Elimsport United Methodist Church or to Scout Troop 605, C/O Dean Crites, 524 Mahoning Street, Milton, PA 17847. Please visit http://www.betzerfuneral.com to sign the guest book or send an e-condolence.
