Michael David Rieker
March 5, 1963 ~ April 16, 2016
Michael David Rieker, 53, of Princeton died at 10:43 a.m. April 16, 2016, in Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Evangelical Covenant Church, Princeton, with the Rev. Derek Boggs officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after services. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday in Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, Princeton. Mr. Rieker was born March 5, 1963, in Mendota to Gary and Judith (Castner) Rieker. He is survived by his father, Gary (Sandra) Rieker of Princeton; the love of his life, Sharlotte Smith of Princeton; as well as Sierra Smith of Princeton and Raider Keenan of Colorado Springs, Colo. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Glenna Rieker and Gail and Doris Castner; his mother, Judith Rieker; and twin brothers, Matthew Rieker and Mark Rieker. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois. He was employed by Ameriprise Financial, Peru for several years. He attended Bunker Hill Church of God and was a member of Princeton Game and Fish Club. Memorials may be directed to the family of Michael D. Rieker or the donor''s choice.
My condolence to the family. He died to young.
So Sorry for your Families Loss.
Gary And Sandy your in my Thoughts and Prayers.
May you have the strength you need for today… the hope you need for tomorrow Thoughts & Prayers are with all
My prayers for comfort and strength for your family at this time of your loss.
Always with a smile, a good story to tell and a mischievous humor, Mike was a great guy. Princeton won’t be the same without him. So many of us will miss him and are saddened by his departure. Condolences to his family, loved ones and friends.
This man, clearly raised to be a beautiful man, brought peace, love , and happiness to people who needed it. May he forever be remembered as the gift he was for the time he was here. — Fun fact he could whip Martha Stewart in a fairy garden making contest.
My heart goes out to everyone. He must have been an amazing man to have won the heart of a woman who is a very dear friend of mine for many years, Sharlotte I pray that during the grieving process you can hold on to the hope that you can see him again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
It’s with great sadness I say goodbye to my good friend Mike Rieker. It has been my great honor to call Mike my friend for over forty years. No could have ever asked for a better or more trusted friend than Mike.
Mike was always smiling with that great “Rieker” smile. Behind that big smile was a subtle, yet wonderfully wicked, mischievous sense of humor. He could always make you laugh and had a great laugh of his own. Mike also didn’t waste many words so when he spoke, we listened and learned.
There is nothing to fill the void left by the loss of a great friend. Mike gave us decades of friendship, laughs, and unforgettable memories. He has left us far too soon, but we are better for having been his friend. We will never have another quite like him.
We will raise a glass and share a toast in honor our dear friend. We will shed tears, mourn our loss, and celebrate his life. In the years to come, we will tell all of our favorite Mike stories, laugh until it hurts, and miss him more each time. Mike will never be forgotten, as his memory lives on in us.
“Mike WAS the best of us”.
So now, with great love I say “Goodbye Michael”.
Rest quietly my friend.
It is hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were a special part of such a well-lived life! When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Those memories are the legacy of love!
To family and friends, you are in our prayers. Mike was a good soul and will truly be missed. God truly does work in mysterious ways.
My Mom was Doris Rieker Huffaker, first cousin to Gary. I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sympathy.
My words could never express the sorrow I felt at learning Mike had passed. We always called him “Smiles or Smilin’ Mike.” No parent should ever have to lose a child and I can’t begin to imagine the pain in losing them both. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please remember that they were fantastic people and loved by many.
Gary and family, So sorry to hear of your loss.I can’t imagine what you all have went through the last few years. You all are in my thoughts.
Gary & Sandy so so sorry to here of Mikes passing . my thoughts and prayers go out to you & your family .
Elmo Casto
4/24/16
So very sorry to hear of your loss when we came to church today. We regret not attending the visitation to show our respect but had no idea. Prayers to you both and to your family.