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Walter Gail "Jockey" Riddle, 74, went to be with the Lord at 1:05pm on Friday, December 15, 2006.
He was born on June 12, 1932 in Marion to the late Clay and Lottie (Teal) Riddle.
In 1950, Walt married the love of his life, Betty Lee Morgan from
Mullins West, VA. This coming February, they would have been married
57 years.
Preceding his marriage to Betty, Walt teamed up with his younger
brother, George, singing in the area and won their first talent contest
at a medicine show. This led to a steady job in the show that traveled
throughout Indiana. At that time Walt was 13 and George was 10. Later
the brothers were heard on stations WBAT and WMRI for several years.
After getting married, Betty and Walt moved to Knoxville, Tenn.; where
they were on stations WIVK, WNOX, and WATE TV. Walt and Betty's next stop
was Louisville, Ky., where they played all the top show places and were
heard on WINN radio. Upon leaving Louisville, they worked for a short time
in Lexington, Ky. on WLAP.
They decided it was time to come home,
at least for a while, where they sang on WARU in Peru. The owner of
the station, Dr. Hanson (a nationally known ornithologist) offered them
an interesting and unique profession which they accepted. They traveled
all over the United States presenting in schools, churches, and on national
TV; a show consisting of 20 trained rare tropical birds. It was called
Hanson's Flying Circus and they performed the show for 10 years.
Walt and Betty's singing career also included several recordings in Nashville,
TN on the "D" label and the "Tiger" label. Walt was an ambitious, energetic
business man. He has produced and promoted all kinds of shows. He was part
owner of a TV station in Noblesville, IN as well as many other business ventures.
In 1993, Mid-America Radio Corporation approached Walt about starting a
classic country radio show, which he hosted for 12 years, making it one
of the most popular shows in the area. At the same time, Walt also worked
as a sales representative for WCJC and WBAT. Walt was a great animal lover
and he and Betty often adopted pets from the local animal shelter.
Walter was one of 12 siblings and was preceded in death by his sisters,
Ruth Winther, and Rosie Shaffer, Lavada Bobo; as well as brothers,
Henry Riddle, Omer Riddle, Stanley Riddle, Elmer Ray Riddle and Kenneth Riddle,
and his daughter, Penny Gail Riddle.
He leaves behind his wife, Betty, brother, George Riddle and two sisters,
Lola (Ron) Miller and Roberta King.
Funeral Service will be at 10:00am, Monday, December 18, 2006 at the funeral
home, with Rev. Marion Bush, Dr. Tom Mansbarger, and Pastor Tom Richards
officiating.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6pm, Sunday, December 17, 2006 at
Needham-Storey-Wampner, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Avenue, Marion.
Burial will be at Estates of Serenity, Marion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grant County Humane Society, 2768 W. Avon
Avenue, Marion, Ind. 46953.
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