Burns is setting for 77th J.D. Riggs family reunion years ago
Fifty-five members and friends of the James D. and Lucinda Riggs family enjoyed a basket dinner Aug. 21 at the Burns Community Center in honor of the 77th annual Riggs family reunion.
After a group picture was taken, Lela Heacock led the group in the Doxology. The invocation was given by Calvin Schmidt.
Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Riggs were early settlers in Florence. On June 1, 1865, the couple arrived in Marion Center, the present site of Marion, from Kent, Union County, Iowa, with nine children. Many of their descendants still live in the area from Emporia to Wichita.
After dinner, the business meeting was called to order by president Diann Dewey.
Each person introduced themselves and their spouses and told their line of ancestors.
Patty Delmott reported on the family website and asked for suggestions and improvements.
Elizabeth Riggs of Wichita was the oldest person in attendance at 90 years old. Reese Schmidt, the 3 1/2-month-old daughter of Ben and Jessica Schmidt of Moundridge was the youngest.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wrigley of Boise, Idaho, came the farthest.
Those who had died since the last reunion were remembered.
Those attending from out-of-state were Jim and Annette Wrigley of Idaho; Carl and Reta Cox of Texas; Corky and Diann Dewey, Dillon Dewey, Nathan Waters, and Randy and Linda Riggs, Missouri.
Those from Kansas included Gary and Sheryl Bartlett, Charles and Lela Heacock, Esther Henderson, Elizabeth Riggs, and Lola Jackson, Wichita; Loren and Mildred Cox, Newton.
Jim and Wanda Howard, Derby; Dan Howard and Judy Albrecht, Goddard; Ross and Alberta Sampson and Sarah Sampson, Haysville; Lyle Winnemaher, Lawrence; Richard Riggs and Steven Cowley, Overland Park.
Don and Betty Bryant and Judy Riggs, Winfield; Connor Keating, Halstead; Reva Goodwin, Calvin and Dawna Schmidt, Randall and Heidi Schmidt, Ben, Jessica, and Reese Schmidt, Moundridge.
Patty and Asher Delmott, Ernie and Ruby Herrick and Cheryl, Japheth and Briana Alvarado, and Bill Bucher, Emporia; Kathy Zornes, Moran; Ed Mercer, El Dorado.
Ashley and Ainsley Charest, Topeka; and Nancy Seward and Tom O'Dell, Lenexa.
The next reunion will be held the third Sunday of August, 2006, at Burns Community Center.
