Neil Archie Ridgeway

Neil Archie Ridgeway of Rantoul, formerly of Riverton, Wyo., passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton on Pells. He was 92 years old.

He was born April 2, 1931, at the family home in Casper, Wyo., a son of Otto “Archie” and Abby “Ione” (Wolcott) Archer.

He attended Casper schools and received his high school education and one year of college while in the service. He joined the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1947 as it was starting up again after World War II, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in April 1948. He retired in July 1968 after 20 years of active service. He also served in the Wyoming Air National Guard during a break in service from January to April 1957.

After his retirement, he returned to Casper, where he worked for Petrotomics, Utah Construction & Mining — later known as Pathfinder Mines — and the Casper Jobs Corps Center. Neil retired from Pathfinder Mines in 1990. After the mine closed, he started D&B Enterprises Auto Sales, which he sold to his partner, and permanently retired in 1994. After retirement, he assisted his son in establishing Wyoming Auto Mart. He moved to Riverton, Wyo., in 2001 to be near more of his relatives.

He married Yasuko “Kay” Iijima on April 30, 1953, at the American Embassy in Tokyo, and they were married for nearly 44 years. She preceded him in death on Dec. 25, 1996. He then married Fumiko Koziarz on June 22, 2002, at St. Malachy Church in Rantoul. The couple divided their time between homes in Rantoul and Riverton.

Neil is survived by his wife, Fumiko Koziarz of Rantoul; a sister, Jane Taylor of Milwaukee; an aunt, six nieces and several cousins in California, Casper and Riverton; and three stepsons and six stepgrandchildren in Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his father, in 1961; a brother, Charles, in 1974; his first wife, in 1996; his mother, in 1998; a son, Don Ridgeway, in 2020; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

At his request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to the Humane Society or the Salvation Army. Interment will be in the State Veterans Cemetery, Evansville, Wyo.

Lux Memorial Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul, is handling arrangements.