Geraldine Marie Riggs

Geraldine Marie Riggs, 76, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026. She was born in Wauseon, Ohio on December 31, 1949 to the late George and Helen (Pike) Smith. She wasn't just a mother, she was a grandmother and great grandmother, a friend and a coffee lover she'd always have to have a cup of coffee when she'd wake up constantly forgetting she even poured a cup and she'd reheat it many times. She was a baker if anyone asked her to bake monster cookies or pecan even peach pie and upside-down pineapple cake she would, no matter if it was for a bake sale or for someone who was having a benefit she was always baking for someone even just to bake. She would call the grandkids and say stop and get a cookie before you go home. She was famous for being the best cook when it came to her meatloaf and her mother's scalloped potatoes. Anytime there was a family gathering she would make sure her daddy had chuck wagon beans. She was a member of the Eagles and the Moose Lodge in Napoleon, Ohio. You could always catch her at the eagles playing pull tabs or on their slot machines. She worked at Campbell Soup for 26 years before she had to retire due to breast cancer which she fought and beat it! She even crocheted for anyone that needed a blanket, a scarf, even crocheted slippers she was the one to go to. She was known as cookie grandma to her great grandbabies, because she always had cookies of some sort in the cookie can. She had a love for English bulldogs, raised them and always talked about her special companion Brandy. She loved Ohio state as that was the team her daddy rooted for. She loved Harry Potters movies and took her youngest son and oldest granddaughter to see every single movie that came out. The best memories her grandchildren have with her are canning string beans, and shucking sweet corn, and being in the garden her daddy started. She had a love for lilac bushes and collected anything cardinal because her momma loved cardinals. Geraldine is survived by her children, Justin (Shannon) Vold, Jeremy (Alicia Ward) Vold, Cody Riggs, and Stacy Huepenbecker; grandchildren, Axle Roark, Phillip Lewis, Jessica (Terry) Draper, Sadie (Brandon Secor) Vold, Samuel Vold, and Raya Vold; great grandchildren, Anthony, Ryelann, Amiyiah, Emma, Axle Jr., and BreElla; sister, Charlene Hartzell; brother, Robert Smith; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Smith. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Funeral services will be private with a Celebration of Life held at a later time. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. Online condolence and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

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Geraldine Marie Riggs

December 31, 1949 - August 14, 2026