George James “Pappy” Riffel, age 81, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away peacefully at 12:03 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at his home.
He was born December 10, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of William G. and Rita May (Walsh) Riffel.
Pappy served in the Army as a combat engineer and was a truck driver for 30 years.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3948 in Aurora, Missouri, a longtime member (27 Years) of the American Legion Post 137 in Mt. Vernon, a member of the (N.R.A.) National Rifle Association and a member of B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) for 13 years.
Pappy was a true patriot believing in our freedom. Most people would say he is one of a kind.
He would defend anyone and help anyone who needed help. He was a very loving and compassionate person.
On March 12, 1985, he married Bonnie Frongello-Herzing in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
Pappy is survived by his wife of 38 years, Bonnie; one daughter, Marianne Nicholes, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania; two sons, Joe Forsythe and his fiancée, Lisa Powel, of Riverview, Florida and Jake Forsythe and his wife, Bobbie Jo, of Penn Yan, New York; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Ardelle Herzing of Coudersport, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, George Herzing of Austin, Pennsylvania; two sisters-in-law, Julie Neffe and her husband, Jim, of Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania and Joeleen Standard and her husband, Michael, of Woodstock, Illinois.
Pappy was preceded in death by his parents, William, and Rita; son, William Riffel; daughter, Christine Kline; sister, Betty Vanzant and father-in-law, Leo Herzing.
A celebration of Pappy’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the American Legion in Mt. Vernon.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri.
