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Celebration of Life Service: 2 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation Time: 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery
Andrew Marshall Ridgeway, age 54, of Flora, Illinois, passed away on Saturday afternoon, October 22, 2016, at his home in the loving care of his family.
He was born July 8, 1962, at Queen’s Hospital, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of William Thomas Ridgeway and Mary Ellen (Sichling) Ridgeway. After a number of moves before his father retired from the United States Marines Corp, the family settled in Flora, where Andy attended school and graduated from FHS in 1980.
Andy was a strong, wise and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He lived a life full of adventure, especially on the water. In his earlier years, Andy enjoyed swimming, surfing and scuba diving, even earning his diver's certification. Andy, along with his brother, Kevin shared that same sense of adventure with their children by planning fun and very memorable canoe trips that included fishing and camping along the river. In his down time, Andy took pleasure in watching movies, playing the occasional round of golf and spending time with his loved ones. With a passion for cooking, Andy prepared many unforgettable meals for his family and friends. He was an experienced craftsman and HVAC installer for over 20 years, working most recently for JW Heating & Air Conditioning. Many wonderful memories of Andy are treasured by his daughters and the four grandchildren that he greatly adored. He is truly loved and cherished by his family and friends and will be deeply missed.
Andy is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren: Tabatha Ames (husband Rob) of Mattoon, and their daughter and son: Ella and Noah; and Tara Meadows (husband Jeremy) of Flora, and their sons: Mason Andrew and Bentley; a brother: William Kevin Ridgeway (wife Susan) of St. Louis, and their children: Kevin Ridgeway, Mark Ridgeway, Dianne Ridgeway, and Paul Ridgeway; and a dear friend: Rem Phillips of Flora. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life Service for Andrew Ridgeway will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, led by Pastor Peter Wehrly. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation time will be from 1 until 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit www.frankandbright.com.
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
May 31, 1946 - Apr 20, 2024
Aug 8, 1939 - Apr 18, 2024
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
We love you Tara! He was amazing man!
Blessings to you sweet girl. May God hold you in his arms.
Tara, I just wanted to let you know I that I am thinking of you and your family. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy upon the loss of your father. Loosing one's parent is always difficult. I do prayer that God will give you comfort and strength as you face this difficult time in your life.
Tabitha, Tara and Families: We are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We remember him from when we were neighbors on Fourth Street. He was certainly devoted to you both. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God bless you both. RIP Andy...
So sorry to hear the loss of your father. May God comfort you and strengthen you in the difficult time. Prayers and hugs.
The family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May all the good memories help to bring you peace and comfort in the loss of Andy.
So sorry for your loss!
Tara, The one thing you will always have is your wonderful memories of him, he was a great man and father, and you and the boys will always be able to remember him as such. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that he and your grandma are together now. Love you.
I'm sorry for your loss.
There is sadness in Texas as we family from “down south” grieve with you over cousin Andy’s passing. The distance between us meant we didn’t have much time together over the years, but the memories we do have are near and dear. We were kids then and life was about fun, and yes, Andy was fun! I remember the “trip to Texas” that cousin Laura mentioned, above. Andy had driven down with his brother in Kevin’s Jeep, while the Illinois grown-ups rode separately. That meant we kids had a cool ride while the cousins were at our house in San Antonio. We had so much fun we got in trouble! It was a blessing to know Andy, and to share kinship together. We hurt with you, over his untimely passing. From Texas, we send family thoughts and prayers for the comfort and peace of Christ.
Prayers for the family
Prayers of peace and comfort to Andy's family.
R.I.P. Fellow Classmate
Thoughts and prayers for you, Tara, and your sweet family. May your memories bring you peace.
Sorry for your loss. I remember them well and they were adventurous. May fond memories surround you now and forever.
Rest In Peace Andrew
Dear Ridgeways, I was so sorry to hear of Andy's passing. I have many fond memories of him as my cousin when we were children. We used to call him Andy Pandy in the box. I'm not sure how that saying came about but whenever I think of Andy, that phrase quickly follows. We visited Kevin and Andy in Washington DC, took a trip with Andy, Kevin, Mary Ellen, Grandmother and Pa Ridgeway and my mother Bonita, to Texas to visit the Wadsacks' while his father Bill was in Vietnam. I lived in Flora for a few months when Andy was 13 and I was 14. I loved swimming in their pool and hanging out with him. We all collected eggs on the chicken farm, which none of us liked, but Andy was fun to be with. May your family be comforted at this sad time. Andy was a good man with a good heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I knew Andy for many years. We worked together in HVAC not long after high school. Andy was a skilled craftsman, especially in sheet metal work. He could always see the end result before he ever started. I seen him really shine with the many large transitions that was made for the Christian Church job. We worked a lot of jobs and many years together. Andy was a very devoted worker and I was glad to have him as a friend. I will miss him. The family is in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear this about Stoney. I have a lot of great memories. Thinking of your family.
Sending prayers, so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Rest well Stoney.
Andy was a genuinely good, honest, and hard working person. He will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry to hear this, we had so many great memories in our younger days, such a Great guy and always a Gentleman, Prayers to his Family
Very sad to hear this. My sincere condolences to Andy's family
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your father! Keep you head up and always remeber he will always be there for you guys when needed and will always love you for eternity. We are thinking of you and your family.
Our sincere condolences to the Ridgeway family and friends..
For my dear Ridgeway, family, Andy and Kevin both hold a precious place in my heart, because of who they are and because they belonged to Bill and Mary Ellen. As a brother, Bill was the best, funniest, supportive relative anyone could have. Mary Ellen and I shared school, church, cheer leading and many fun times together. As married adults we shared traveling, visiting at our home and theirs and have wonderful memories. Our bond was so close it's called family. Loosing Andy is a real lose, but I find comfort in picturing him with his patents where there is love and joy beyond our imagining. I'm sending my love and prayers for peace and comfort to replace your loss and soon replace your sorrow with only ssweet memories
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
