James A. Riffel

ELKHART - James A. Riffel, 76, of Elkhart, passed away Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Elkhart Center for Hospice.

He was born Aug. 17, 1941 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN to Sam and Rosella (Kronewitter) Riffel. After attending Mishawaka High School, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he was proud to find out that some of the data entry he was involved in was part of the Gemini and Apollo Space Programs. After his service, he moved to Columbus, OH and worked briefly at North American Aviation, now Rockwell International, a part of Boeing. He then moved back to South Bend, IN to marry, and raise his son. There, he worked at the old Hawthorn Mellody Dairy Farm, and later became a Lease/Dealer of his own service station, James Riffel Checker Oil, in South Bend. After that, he worked for 12 years as a Maintenance Technician for Jefferson Park Apartments, then retired. 

He is survived by his mother, Rosella Beggs; sister, Angela Riffel of South Bend, IN; son, Richard Riffel of Mishawaka, IN; grandson, Kyle Riffel; and great-grandson, Evan Riffel.

He is preceded in death by his father; sister, Judith Thompson; and brother John Riffel.

As per his wishes, no services will be held.

Arrangements are in the care of Billings Funeral Home

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James A. Riffel, please visit our floral store.