John Riegle, Jr.

RIEGLE, John Louis Jr. - age 83, of Flint Township, died Thursday, February 9, 2023. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Anthony Strouse at 12 pm Saturday, February 18, 2023 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 706 Beach Street, Flint. Interment at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3-8 pm Friday, February 17 at Sharp Funeral Home, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, where a rosary will be prayed at 7 pm. Visitation will also be from 11 am until the time of service at the church on Saturday.

John was born on April 21, 1939 in Flint to John Louis and Eleanor Agnes (Hines) Riegle. John married Joyce Elizabeth Pidcock on November 27, 1965, and together they raised seven children, Thomas (Jodi), Sarah (Whitney) Lemelin, Jane, Mary (David Cenefels), Elizabeth (Ritchie Geoghan), John, and Andrew. John was the beloved brother of Rosalie Riegle, cherished grandfather of Kira and Valerie Riegle, Joseph, John, and Eleanor Lemelin, Katerina and Anna Cenefels, and uncle to many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald W. Riegle, Sr., and wife Joyce.

After graduating from St. Matthew’s High School in 1957, John earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Detroit in 1962. He served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked as a bank teller at the Detroit Bank and Trust before joining the Riegle Press, where he worked in sales, as a secretary and treasurer, and served as president from 1977 - 1984.  After selling the Riegle Press in 1984, he worked as personnel director of Goodwill Industries and co-owned the Tailgate Sports Bar and Restaurant.

John ably served as a member and board member of many local organizations, including the Flint Kiwanis Club (president 1978-1979), the University Club of Flint (president 1982-1983), the Flint Children’s Museum, the Greater Flint Air Show, Special Olympics of Michigan, the Crim Road Race, the Friends of For-Mar Foundation, the 100 Club of Flint, St. Pius X Parish, the Old and New Cavalry cemeteries of the Diocese of Lansing, the Knights of Columbus, and the executive committee of the University of Detroit’s President’s Cabinet.

John loved northern Michigan, boating the Inland Water Way, skiing, golfing, playing bridge, reading, politics, traveling with family and friends, attending the annual Riegle Reunion, and cheering for the Spartans. He was kind, generous, welcoming, and funny (often unintentionally), and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

John’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Lisa Zinn, Paul Robinson, and to all at The Caregiver Professionals, the Sugarbush House, and Mid-Michigan Hospice for their endlessly kind and compassionate care.

Suggestions for donations in John’s memory include the Flint Children’s Museum, the Friends of For-Mar Foundation, and Special Olympics of Michigan.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com