John Ridinger

John William Ridinger, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, September 20, 2012, at his home following a brief illness. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Monday, September 24, 2012, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Street Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the Green Mound Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the Lincoln Street Baptist Church and Hospice of Central Iowa. Born August 1, 1939 in rural Trenton, IA, John was the son of Leonard and Margaret (Leyden) Ridinger. He attended rural schools and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1958. He served his country in the Iowa National Reserves. On February 19, 1958 he married Wanda Christner at Green Mound Church of God. To this union they were blessed with four children, Jocinda, Margaret, Kieth and Soundra. Wanda preceded him in death on January 20, 1964, along with daughter, Soundra, as the result of a car accident. On March 18, 1966 he married Judy Lee Warrington at Green Mound Church of God. From this union they were blessed with two children, Serena and Amber. John began working in Mt. Pleasant as a carpenter with local contractors. He later joined Union #2158 and worked as a millwright traveling all over the country to various nuclear power plants. He retired from this work in 2001. After retirement he would buy houses and remodel them. Many people would recognize him as a Wal-Mart greeter. An avid carpenter, John loved to refurbish furniture and houses. He enjoyed listening to old country music and watching western movies. His greatest enjoyment was following his grandchildren's activites. A member of Green Mound Church of God, John also attended Lincoln Street Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Judy of Mt. Pleasant; four daughters, Jocinda Hughes of Mt. Pleasant, Margaret Ridinger of Yukon, OK, Serena (Dan VanDeusen) Ridinger of Mt. Pleasant, and Amber (Jeff) Hummell of New London; one son, Kieth Ridinger of Yukon, OK; five grandchildren, Daniel Housh, Jenna Hummell, Terance Standley, Joni Mandoza, and Mike Hughes; four great-grandchildren, Jack Hughes, Alexandria Hughes, Trae-Sean Jones, and Tyree Jones; a step-mother, Thelma Ridinger of Mt. Pleasant; a brother Larry (Sylvia) Ridinger of Trenton; a brother-in-law, Roger (Toney) Warrington of Rocky Mount, MO; and a sister-in-law, Vickie (Allen) Raker of Danville, IA. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Wanda; daughter, Soundra; and a brother, Emmett Ridinger.