Luther B. Rigg

Luther B. Rigg, 85, of Aledo, formerly of Springfield, died Monday, January 23, 2012 at the Mercer County Nursing Home. Services will be Thursday at 7:30 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Visitation begins at 6:30 p.m. for one hour prior to the funeral service. Graveside services are Friday at 11:00 AM at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Grace Evangelical Free Church for use with the deacons fund to support those in need. Luther was born on September 10, 1926 in Auburn, Illinois to John Ezra & Essie Mae (Neighbor) Rigg. He married Melba V. Irvine in Chatham, Illinois. She preceded him in death on December 11, 1997. Luther was an electrician in the United States Navy having served during World War II. He later worked for the Illinois Department of Public Aid where he worked his way up from errand boy eventually to Computer Systems Analyst overseeing computer systems for statewide medical payments. After thirty-five years with the State of Illinois, he retired to enjoy life. Luther enjoyed rollerskating in earlier years, and this is where he met his wife, Melba. He also enjoyed woodworking, cheering for the Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals, and helping out his friends and neighbors in need. Luther is survived by his children and their spouses: Sandy and Denny Brown of Aledo; J. Keith and Mary Rigg of West Des Moines, IA; 3 grandchildren and their spouses: Matthew and Tricia Brown of Savannah, GA, Bethany and Carlos Romero of Springfield, IL, and Thomas Rigg of West Des Moines, IA plus one great-grandson, J.D. Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and several brothers and sisters.