William P. “Bill” Riekels
May 2nd, 1927 - September 22nd, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Bill's Obituary
William P. “Bill” Riekels, 97, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Compassus House of the Dove in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Christian Reformed Church, 3275 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. John DeVries officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, with Military Rites conducted by the Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christian Reformed Church. Those wishing to sign William’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bill was born May 2, 1927, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Anna (Berghuis) & Bert Riekels. Before graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II. He furthered his education at the University of Michigan, earning his bachelor’s degree. He enrolled in a college in Mexico and received a master’s degree in Spanish and later earned a certificate to teach French from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Much later in life, he attended Western Michigan University and earned a master’s degree in education. On June 19, 1965, he married the former Claudette P. Marden in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bill briefly taught at Hillsdale College and was a teacher for thirty-five years for Benton Harbor Area Schools, and after retirement, he worked for many years as a substitute in most of the area’s school districts. Bill was a beloved member of the Christian Reformed Church and the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center. He was passionate about singing, performing with the Lighthouse Chorus barbershop group. He was an accomplished athlete, traveling the country for handball, earning a state title and advocating for the sport. William was also an avid runner and bicyclist and was frequently seen around town biking or running well into his 90’s.
William is survived by his children—Pamela (Timothy) Knezic of Wausau, WI & John Riekels of San Francisco, CA; four grandchildren—Noah, Connor, Nicholas, & Tessa Knezic; and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Claudette on November 21, 2016, and his siblings-Abe Riekels, Jean Witteveen, Connie Beekman & Marcia Vander Weg.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Christian Reformed Church, 3275 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. John DeVries officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, with Military Rites conducted by the Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christian Reformed Church. Those wishing to sign William’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Bill was born May 2, 1927, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Anna (Berghuis) & Bert Riekels. Before graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II. He furthered his education at the University of Michigan, earning his bachelor’s degree. He enrolled in a college in Mexico and received a master’s degree in Spanish and later earned a certificate to teach French from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Much later in life, he attended Western Michigan University and earned a master’s degree in education. On June 19, 1965, he married the former Claudette P. Marden in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bill briefly taught at Hillsdale College and was a teacher for thirty-five years for Benton Harbor Area Schools, and after retirement, he worked for many years as a substitute in most of the area’s school districts. Bill was a beloved member of the Christian Reformed Church and the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center. He was passionate about singing, performing with the Lighthouse Chorus barbershop group. He was an accomplished athlete, traveling the country for handball, earning a state title and advocating for the sport. William was also an avid runner and bicyclist and was frequently seen around town biking or running well into his 90’s.
William is survived by his children—Pamela (Timothy) Knezic of Wausau, WI & John Riekels of San Francisco, CA; four grandchildren—Noah, Connor, Nicholas, & Tessa Knezic; and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Claudette on November 21, 2016, and his siblings-Abe Riekels, Jean Witteveen, Connie Beekman & Marcia Vander Weg.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.