Mary Ann Rigel

Mary Ann (Eberle) Rigel, 88, of Quaker City, died Thursday (November 15, 2012) at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Cambridge. She was born June 28, 1924 in Quaker City, daughter of the late Harry McKinley and Margaret Sedgwick Eberle. She graduated in 1942 from Quaker City High School, where she was a cheerleader and played the tenor saxophone in the band. She was also an accomplished tap dancer. She received her B.A. in English and vocal music from Capital University and her M.A. in English from Kent State University. She taught English and vocal music at Quaker City High School, vocal music at various elementary schools in the Madison school district, and English and vocal music at Zane Trace High School before retiring in the early 1970s. She also taught English one year at the Ohio University branch in St. Clairsville. She was a member of the Quaker City Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and was organist and choir director. She played for hundreds of weddings in the Guernsey County area. She loved the Cambridge Singers, whom she accompanied for over forty years. In 1988, the Singers created the Rigel Award to honor Mary Ann and her husband, Red, for enriching the community through their unselfish dedication to music. Every year, the Rigel Award is given to an individual in the area who has promoted the enjoyment of music. She was a Daily Jeffersonian Person of the Year in 1986. Mary Ann enjoyed reading, was devoted to nature and animals, and unselfishly cared for others all her life. She is survived by her husband, Everett Leslie "Red" Rigel, whom she married on December 21, 1946; three daughters, Beth (& Gary) Daugherty of Columbus, Sue (& Ray) Rodi of Moreno Valley CA, and Jane (& Ron) Royse of Cincinnati; two grandsons, Brandan Bamfield and Alan Doll; a great-granddaughter, Naysa Bamfield; and two adopted grandchildren, Kathy Pattison and Jim Whitehair. Family and friends may call on Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Quaker City. Funeral services will be held Tuesday (November 20, 2012) at 1 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Quaker City, with Rev. John Carpenter and Rev. Carol Touvell officiating. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery, Quaker City.