Earl Hannum Ridley Sr.'s Obituary
DOVER - Earl Hannum Ridley, Sr., 93, of Dover passed away on Tuesday, July, 20, 2021, at Complete Care at Silver Lake in Dover, DE, of heart failure. He was born in Dover, DE, on April 24, 1928, to the late Joel Wadsworth and Hazel Helen (Hannum) Ridley. He attended Dover schools, and lived in and near Cheswold, DE, most of his life, the last three at Luther Towers in Dover. He was a military veteran having served in the U.S. Coast Guard, the U. S. Army, and the Delaware National Guard, with a total service time of 12 years where he earned the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.
In his early life, he worked at Chrysler, International Latex, and Kent County Motor Co., before switching careers to become an electrician. He worked at several nuclear power plants and then later with his brother, Fred, doing electrical work. He was a member of the IBEW and the NEBF.
He enjoyed working on cars and built a large garage and machine shop in retirement where he spent many hours restoring and building mid-size tractors. He was a master welder creating many items and making repairs for family and friends over the years. There wasn’t anything that Earl could not fix or figure out how to fix. He loved working on and helping to restore vintage cars with several friends. He lived life like there was no expiration date, always planning for future adventures.
He was a 76-year member of the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Co., having spent many years devoted to the organization where he served as a past President, Vice-President, making ambulance runs, search and rescue, working bingo, etc. When the fire whistle went off, Dad’s truck rear tires rarely hit the railroad tracks as he crossed them to get to the firehouse. He served on the Cheswold Town Counsel for many years, along with his father, Joel W. Ridley, Sr., and as an auxiliary police officer for the town in the 1960’s. He was a Life Member of the VFW Post 8801, and the American Legion Post 14, as well as an auxiliary member of FOP Lodge #3. He would help anyone in any way he was able.
He built and drove a race car throughout the 1960’s; Capital City Racing Team # 9. He drove the pace car for the first auto race at Dover Downs International Speedway in July, 1969. He was a fan of auto racing, enjoyed watching wrestling, doing word search, reading, riding his motorcycle (until age 88), going to Spence’s Sale, and spending time with his best friend, Bill Ivins. They traveled many miles together. Earl couldn’t have had a better friend.
Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his second wife of 40 years, Marie W. Ridley; his son, Earl H. Ridley, II; siblings, Joel W. Ridley, II, Susanna E. Ridley Urian, and James E. Ridley; his step-son, Gerald E. White; and his former wife of 20 years and mother of his three children, Evelyn F. Ridley Austin.
He is survived by his two daughters, Linda K. Maderich (Henry) of Glassboro, NJ, and Lori J. Ennis (Steven) of Dover, DE; his six grandchildren; Jazz M. Rieth (Christian), Jesse E. Ridley, Shanna L. Maderich Hoffman (Andrew), Hilary L. Ennis (Justin Prystajko), Emily A. Ennis (Andrew Kluge), and Sarah M. Ennis; and seven great-grandchildren; Connor, Dezmon, Andrew Joseph (AJ), Francis, Bradley, Vivian, and Cora. He is also survived by three siblings; Martha E. Ridley Collins, Dover, DE, Fred D. Ridley, Sr., (Doris), Marydel, MD, and Rev. Douglas M. Ridley, (Kathleen), Cambridge, MD. Earl also leaves behind several good friends; William Ivins, and Kenny and Christine Johnson, as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Earl was cremated and his obituary may be viewed on the Trader Funeral Home web site. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company, 371 Main St., Cheswold, DE 19936, at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.
Interment will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966, on Monday, August 2, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Earl’s name to the Cheswold Volunteer Fire Company, P. O. Box 186., Cheswold, DE 19936.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com
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