George Earl Ridgeway

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[George Earl Ridgeway, age 77, of Du Quoin, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 in Des Peres Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

George was born on Nov. 6, 1932 in Du Quoin, Ill., a son to Robert Ernest and Clara Mae (Lively) Ridgeway. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. On August 12, 1979, he married Patty Dale in Perryville, Mo. and she survives. He had retired as a coal miner from Consol #4 and formerly owned Ridgeway's Radiator Repair, Pinckneyville, Ill. George was a member of Matthews Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.; and a former member of the Mitchell Lodge #85, Pinckneyville, Ill. and Ainad Shriners and he loved sitting outside in his swing and playing cards with his friends.

Survivors include his wife, Patty Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Ill.; children, Ronald (Delores) Ridgeway of Mulkeytown, Ill., Danny (Debra) Ridgeway of West Frankfort, Ill., Rocky (Julie) Ridgeway of West Frankfort, Ill., Terry Maxey of Pinckneyville, Ill., Crystal (Ivan) Bauman of Energy, Ill., Kyle (Danielle) Ridgeway of West Frankfort, Ill., and Mark (Courtney Heiple) Ridgeway of West Frankfort, Ill.; four brothers, Charles (Dottie) Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Ill., Walter (Mary) Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Ill., Jack (Judy) Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Ill., and Marion (Doris) Ridgeway of Pinckneyville, Ill.; four sisters, June Dunmeyer of Elkville, Ill., Joan (Don) Barnett of Du Quoin, Ill., Barbara (Steve) Erdmann of Du Quoin, Ill., and JoAnn Spurlock of Du Quoin, Ill., two sisters-in-law, Betty Scruggs of Du Quoin, Ill., and Carolyn Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Ill.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gene Ridgeway and Wyatt Scruggs; a sister, Mildred Eisenhauer; grandchildren, Shawn, Rhonda and Amanda Ridgeway; and best friend, Gary "Bear" Glenzy.

Funeral services were held at Matthews Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor John Yeo officiating. Interment was in Old DuQuoin Cemetery, Du Quoin, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, Ill. on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at Matthews Baptist Church from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Matthews Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.