Junior Rigger (Rieger), 96

 

Funeral services for James Junior Rigger (Rieger), 96, of West Plains, were held May 13, 2023, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Burial was at Hale Cemetery.

Mr.  Rigger died at 2:16 a.m. May 6, at his home.  

He was born July 24, 1926, at Dora, to James Rieger and Florence Orwick Rieger.  On July 27, 1947, he was married at West Plains, to Phyllis Lorene Dobbs, who preceded him in death on August 24, 2013.  

Mr. Rigger was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during WWII and received many medals and accomplishments including the Victory Medal European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Purple Heart Medal, Soldiers Medal and Army Occupation Medal of Germany; he fought in the Ordains-Rhineland Central Europe Campaign.  

Before his retirement, Mr. Rigger was a lineman at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative.  

He loved spending time with family and enjoyed being in nature.  One of his biggest joys in life was helping people.  

James was a member of the VFW, Lion’s Club, Order of the Eastern Star and was a Mason.   

He is survived by two children: Katherine Allee of Nixa and Larry Rigger and wife Kathleen of  Springfield; one daughter-in-law: Joyce Rigger, of Nixa; seven grandchildren: Dawn Bruffett of the state of New York, James Bruffett and wife Kendra of Nixa, Amber Hopper Gall of Springfield, Elizabeth Wheeler and husband Ben of Springfield, Tara Rigger and significant other Allan Gibson of Springfield, Serenity Matney and husband Tony of Lampe and Eli Rigger of Nixa; nine great-grandchildren: Skyla Bruffett, Henry Matney, Nate, William and Evie Bruffett, Kesler and Surelle Gibson, Ethan Hopper and Adeline Wheeler; two brothers: Lloyd Rieger and wife Aggie of Twin Falls, Idaho and Norman Rieger of Aniston, Alabama; three sisters-in-law: Joy Rieger of West Plains, Gloria Rieger of Stockton, California and Delores Driscoll and husband Jim of West Plains; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, wife, one son: Bradley James Rigger, two great-grandchildren: Chloe Martinez and Jake Wheeler, two brothers: Joseph and Clinton Rieger, one sister-in-law: Peggy Rieger and one brother-in-law: Hervy Dobbs and wife Donna, preceded him in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Hale Cemetery or Sweeton Pond Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.   

Ozark County Times

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