Donald Riggen Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald L. Riggen of Montezuma, IN on April 1, 2025, at the age of 62. Don was born on January 12, 1963, in Clinton, IN, to Donald H. and Janet Riggen.
Don met the love of his life and beloved wife of 40 years, Kimberly Riggen, in 1984 and they were married a few months later. Over the next three decades, they had three children, Brandy, Dylan and Chelsy. At the time of his passing, Don had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who were each the light of his life. He was well-known in and around Parke County for his love of local high school sports. Folks that have known him longest remember his talent as a youth player. Others knew him as a coach of various sports for many years, but most knew Don through his unwavering love of watching his kids and grandchildren play sports. He never missed a game, and when he rarely did, he'd always write a letter or message of encouragement in his stead. As a younger man, he served as a volunteer firefighter for many years, among countless other volunteer roles in his community.
Don worked at Eli Lilly (and then Elanco) for 38 years in several roles, but most recently as the Culture Lab Operator at the Clinton Elanco site. Our family has experienced the impact he made at work through his colleagues over the years, who go out of their way to tell us stories about him.
When Don wasn't sitting in the bleachers at a local game, you may have found him listening to or watching his Hoosiers or St. Louis Cardinals or tuning into a race. While the Indy 500 was like a sanctuary to him, he loved racing in about any form and enjoyed driving to nearby tracks to watch late models and modifieds run. His love of music, particularly Pink Floyd, was evident as a youth, and it only blossomed with age and influenced his family and friends.
We can't describe in words the crater of a hole he has left in his passing. We've always known he was a great man, but the outpouring of support has overwhelmed each of us beyond measure. We are so blessed to have had him as a Husband, Father, and Papaw. He always led by example and was a great friend and mentor to all who knew him.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald & Janet Riggen, his in-laws, Raymond & Beverly Smith who he thought of as a second set of parents, & his sister-in-law Kathy Smith.
Don is survived by his spouse, Kimberly, his three children, Brandy (Lane) Good, Dylan (Angie) Riggen & Chelsy (Justin) Davies, his eight grandchildren, Karsee, Gracie, Kierclyn, Finn, Ross, Tinsley, Theodore & Mabel, two great grandchildren, Wynter & Kynadie, sister, Leslie (Jay) Shaffer, brothers-in-law, Mike Smith & Brian (Nancy) Smith, & several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Frist Funeral Home (458 Blackman St, Clinton) Friday, April 4, 2025, from 4 to 8 pm. Services will be held at Frist Funeral Home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 1pm with Pastor Keith McIntyre officiating. Burial will follow at Helt's Prairie Cemetery (west of US 63 from Elanco) with a luncheon following at the Montezuma Community Center (800 Jackson St, Montezuma).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Riverton Parke Athletic Club, a place that was a second home to him.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.fristfuneralhome.com.
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