John Bailey Riffle

Mr. John Bailey Riffle was born on October 8, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana. He was the youngest of four children born to the late Virgil and the late Ethel (Roberts) Riffle. He passed away peacefully at Beacon Memorial Hospital of South Bend on Monday, September 13, 2021; he was 82 years old.

John was educated in the South Bend Community School Corporation. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marines and had the opportunity to travel all over the world while serving his Country. He completed his Tour of Duty in 1961 and received an Honorable Discharge. He returned to South Bend until 1965; he then relocated to Flint, Michigan where he began his career with General Motors. John retired in 2018 from GM’s Delco Automotive Electronics subsidiary and returned to South Bend. During retirement he enjoyed attending worship services and was an active member of First AME Zion Church. He also enjoyed taking long walks, shopping, and spending time with family. He participated in these activities until February 2020 when his health no longer permitted it.

He is survived by two nephews, Richard D. Coleman of Minneapolis, Minnesota and James K. Coleman of Mishawaka, Indiana; a niece, Cathy Bowie of Granger, Indiana; very close cousins, Marilyn Harvey of South Bend; Sandra Haines of New Jersey and Pam Hughes of Altadena, California. 

Along with his parents, John was also preceded in death by his siblings, Janet Riffle, Mary Jeanne (James) Coleman and James Riffle and two very special cousins, who were more like siblings, William O. Roberts and Robert Roberts.

John was a very kind and loyal friend and had many close friends who continued to keep in touch with him until the end. We will miss John greatly but are comforted to know that he is with our Father.

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