MILTON L. RIGGS, JR.

Milton L. Riggs, Jr., age 83, passed away February 16, 2012 surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Pegi (Marjorie) for 56 years. Dear father of Bonnie (Richard) Fix, Jeffrey, Stephen (Kimberleigh) and Robin (Gary) La Tourette. Loving grandfather of his cherished Mariah. Brother of Millicent and the late Marian. Also survived by 11 nieces, nephews and their families, and countless wonderful friends.

Milton spent 25 years as a USAF officer and fighter pilot, 22 years in the MI Air National Guard, 17 years as a corporate jet pilot. For 30 years he was a licensed real estate broker. He retired in 1988 after spending 9 years as a public school teacher and 20 years as a public school principal, first at Lincoln Upper Elementary, and then 17 years at Eberwhite Elementary School in Ann Arbor. He had a major influence on the lives of so many students, some of whom re-connected with him many years after graduation.

Milt was a man of varied interests and touched many people's lives. He enjoyed furniture and jewelry making, woodworking, and tinkering with anything mechanical -- he could repair anything around the house. Music was a huge part of Milt's life. He played piano by ear, harmonica and to the enjoyment of so many groups of friends, the ukulele. Not a day went by without his listening to or whistling baroque and classical music -- sometimes much to the embarrassment of his children.

Milt and Pegi loved to travel and after his retirement they made several international trips and took a number of cruises.

Milt and Pegi's home was always filled with rescued animals -- both cats and dogs. Both were members of Pet-A-Pet and often took their two cats and two dogs to retirement/nursing facilities, etc. and other pet oriented activities.

Milton felt he was, in his word, "Blessed with a very full and happy life, if not a longer one."

Memorial services will be held Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 19109 Craig St., New Boston, MI 48164.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated, and may be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O, Box 274, New Boston, MI 48164 or Pet-A-Pet Club, Inc. c/o Linda McCalister, P.O. Box 530356, Livonia, MI 48153.

Please share a memory by signing Milt's guestbook at cremationmichigan.com .

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   At the Dec. 13 meeting of the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees, the Belleville-Area Independent was voted in, 5-2, as the township's official newspaper of record.

The Independent now is the newspaper of record for all three municipalities in the 48111 zip code: The City of Belleville, Sumpter Township and, now, Van Buren Township.

The Belleville Area Council for the Arts planning the second of its monthly dinners to raise money for its building fund. The council is buying the site of a cleaners that burned down several years ago on Main Street, between Third and Fourth streets.

The next dinner will be corned beef and cabbage on March 11 at the Masonic Temple at the corner of High and Main streets in downtown Belleville.

For information, call BACA President Kay Atkins at (734) 697-9376.

   The Belleville Rotary Club will again host its popular Italian Dinner Buffet on "Fat Tuesday", Feb. 21, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Eagles, 9961 Beck Road.

   The Rotatians again are cooking up a Mediterranean menu for their guest. The pre-Lenton meal will feature Italian Wedding Soup, salads, a pasta bar with four sauces including meat and vegetarian, plus Chicken Piccata and Marsala.

   Soda and paczki will also be available -- sold separately. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased from any Rotarian or at the door. Carry-outs will be available.

   Proceeds from the dinner and raffles support local Rotary Club projects to benefit the Belleville, Sumpter, Van Buren tri-community, Van Buren Public Schools, scholarships for graduating Belleville High School students and The Salvation Army.