Franklin E. ‘Gene’ Riggins Sr.

Mr. Riggins died Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Life Care Center in Seneca.

He was born March 10, 1917, in Scandia, the son of Roy and Mamie Eastman Riggins. He grew up in Jamestown, where he graduated from high school in 1935. He attended Wichita State University, where he played halfback on the varsity football team.

Mr. Riggins enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served in the Communications Division as a telegrapher on the USS Appalachian AGC1 in the South Pacific. He later moved to Centralia and worked as a telegrapher for Missouri Pacific Railroad.

He was a member of First Congregational Church and the American Legion, both in Centralia, and the Masonic Lodge in Seneca.

He married Mildred A. Broz on June 10, 1946, in Pine City, Minn. She died Feb. 27, 2000.

Survivors include three sons, Frank Jr., Vienna, Va., Bill, Bucyrus, and John, New York, a former running back at Kansas University; and five grandchildren.

Family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

The family suggests memorials to the Centralia Library or the American Cancer Society, sent in care of the family, 512 John Riggins Ave., Centralia 66415.

Online condolences may be sent at www.lauerfuneralhome.com.