Elwood Olin Riffle, World War II veteran
Elwood Olin Riffle, 95, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at the Milford Place in Milford. Born May 27, 1923, he was the son of the late Albert Riffle and Nellie G. Moser. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean B. Riffle. He is survived by daughter Susan Pearson and her husband Ron of Lewes; one son, Kenneth O. Riffle and his wife Barbara of Laurel, Md.; daughter Patricia A. Riffle of Lewes; and daughter Laurie Kelly of Cedar City, Utah; four grandchildren, Christopher Pearson and his wife Brooke of Crozet, Va.; Robyn Pearson Rodenhaver and her husband Jason of Centreville, Md.; Olin Kenneth Riffle and his wife Susan of Annapolis, Md.; and Jennifer Kelly of Cedar City; eight great-grandchildren, Connor, Caroline and Catherine Pearson of Crozet; Austin, Reese and Gavin Rodenhaver of Centreville; and Myles and Siena Riffle of Annapolis; and two brothers, Albert D. Riffle of Frederick, Md., and Franklin Riffle of Thurmont, Md.
Elwood served in World War II in the United States Army, induction place, Fort Meade, Md. He served in the 3039th Ordnance Base Power Train Rebuild Company earning the rank of First Sgt. In many different locations of service, he was responsible for the procurement and maintenance of all wheeled and motored vehicles in New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. Elwood was honorably discharged Jan. 23, 1946. Elwood served as commander from 1957 to 1959 at the Edwin C. Creeger Jr. Post 168 American Legion, Thurmont, Md., where he was a lifetime member. After his discharge from the Army, he worked at Riffle’s Garage with his brothers and drove a school bus where his met his wife, Jean. After selling Riffle’s Garage, they moved to Jupiter, Fla. He was active in golfing, served on the board of directors for his condominium association, and volunteered at First Jupiter Church where one of his favorite things to do was helping with dinners on Thursday.
After Jean’s death, he relocated to Lewes to be near family in 2014. In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded by brothers Kermit Riffle and Leroy Riffle; and one great-grandson, Colin Alexander Pearson. Memorial Services to celebrate Elwood’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 7, at The Ridings of Rehoboth Clubhouse, 30480 Park Pavilion Way, Lewes; and at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Milford House, 500 S. DuPont Blvd., Milford. A Celebration of Life for both Elwood and Jean will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 17, at Weller United Methodist Church, 101 N. Altamont Ave., Thurmont, Md. Pastor Bob Kells will officiate. Inurnment for Elwood and Jean will follow with Military Honors in the church cemetery. A fellowship reception with light refreshments will be offered following the inurnment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Delaware Hospice, checks payable to Vitas Health Care, 30265 Commerce Drive, Suite 202/203, Millsboro, DE 19966 in honor of Elwood Riffle. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.boundsfuneralhome.com.
