Randolph Riotto Obituary

Randolph Riotto Sr, 96, of Geneva, died on January 27, 2011 at Pineview Care Center, St. Charles, from complications of pneumonia. He was born December 7, 1914 in Chicago, one of six children of Charles and Rosina Riotto and moved to Geneva in 1916. He graduated from Geneva High School, class of 1934 and excelled in football and wrestling. He was Illinois state wrestling champion in both 1933 and 1934, as well as the school's first four letter athlete. Along with school, he began part time work at Geneva Bottling Works at the age of 12. Unable to accept a college athletic scholarship because he was the sole support of his family in the depths of the Depression, he continued full time at the bottling works. As World War II began he completed machinists' school in Chicago with the desire of serving in the Navy in ship maintenance. Rejected by the military for what later proved to be an erroneous medical condition, he went to work as a machinist for General Motors at a new aircraft engine plant in Melrose Park. He returned to Geneva Bottling after the war and worked there until 1950. After employment at Fox Valley Heating, he started Randolph Riotto Heating Service in 1953, which he operated until he retirement in 1982. He married Adelyn Vogt, also of Geneva, on January 23, 1943. They were married for over 60 years at her death in 2004. He is survived by a son, Randolph Jr., (Janice) of Elgin; daughter, Elizabeth of Villa Park; granddaughter, Christine of Elgin; sister-in-law, Joyce Vogt of Geneva and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and five sisters, Luna Wilson, Josephine Gregonis, Sandra Pearson, Genevieve Stramel and Rosalie Madejczyk. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 W State Street (Rt. 38), Geneva, IL. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva. Visitation held Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 4-8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Contributions in his memory may be made to Fabyn Villa and Garden, Preservation Partners of the Fox River Valley. P.O. Box 903, St. Charles, IL 60174. For info call Yurs Funeral Home of Geneva, (630) 232-7337 or at www.yursfuneralhomes.com.