Philip Riecke

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Philip Herman Riecke, 93, of Avilla, passed away on September 23, 2024, at Ascension Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. Mr. Riecke was born on June 10, 1931, in Ege, Indiana, to Joseph H. and Mary E. (Maloney) Riecke. Phil graduated from Huntertown High School Class of 1949.  Following graduation, he served in the United States Army in Korea during the Korean War.  After the war, he married his high school sweetheart Catherine Leffers, and they began married life in Fort Wayne. He worked at the International Harvester but soon moved to Huntertown and rented farm ground while working at the Fort Wayne Coliseum and United States Postal Service carrying the mail.

Phil's love for farming led him to purchase his first of three farms in Noble County and pursue his passion of being a full-time farmer while raising livestock and kids with his wife, Kate. He was honored with the Noble County Master Farmer of the Year award by the Noble County Soil and Water Department in 2004.

He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Avilla.  He served as past chairman of the Parish Council and the Home School Association, as well as a Eucharistic Minister and Lectern at mass.

He was a past Director of the Noble County Community Fair, a member of the 4-H Exhibit Corporation, and the Noble County Extension Board.  In 2006, he was presented a lifetime pass to the Indiana State Fair, where he and his family has exhibited livestock since the 1940’s.  In 2013, he was inducted into the Noble County 4-H Livestock Hall of Fame.  Phil enjoyed all the livestock species and was a judge or ring man in all the counties in northeastern Indiana at some time of his life.

Surviving him is his wife of 70 years Catherine (Leffers) Riecke of Avilla; five daughters, Chris (Larry) Ott, Geralyn Lash Ross, Mary Jo (Tim) Dice, Kathy (Jed) Fought and Jackie Bell; five sons, Dan (Sally) Riecke, Dave (Jenny) Riecke, Jim (Linda) Riecke, Dean (Jody) Riecke, Jeff (Lori) Riecke; and 39 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandsons.

Visiting hours will take place at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville on Friday, September 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Rosary service will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Avilla on Saturday, September 28, 2024, with Father David Voors officiating. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the funeral mass. 

Burial with military honors will follow at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Avilla. 

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or Noble County 4-H.

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