Max Ridenbark

Max Shannon Ridenbark, 79, of Jerseyville, Illinois went home to be with the Lord at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 24th, 2026. 

He was born August 26, 1946 at home west of Kane, Illinois, and was the son of William and Della (Shannon) Ridenbark. Max was the youngest with four brothers and three sisters.

He graduated from Jersey Community High School in May of 1965. During the Vietnam conflict Max entered the U.S. Army in December of 1965 where he served two years on the island of Guam as an equipment operator. He spent many years tenderly caring for his mother before her passing. He later worked in Alton, Illinois at the Duncan Foundry operating cranes. He was also a member of the Local Labor Union and worked out of the hall as a construction worker. He farmed for many years along side of one of his beloved border collies. He retired in 2005 due to health issues. Max was an avid gardener and had a huge garden along with several dozen blackberry plants. He spent hours on end tending to his plants. He was very generous in sharing his produce with others. 

He was very fond of his pet border collies having had eight throughout the years with Jake being his latest companion. He had many dear friends including Aaron Thornberry, Leland Snyders and Billy Kirsner, along with dear neighbors just to name a few. He also formed great friendships with those from Delhi Baptist Church where he attended for the past twelve years especially with Ed and Claire Miner, Doris Kuntz, and Bill Ivester. 

Surviving are two sisters, Glenna Doyne Honey and Ruth Hall, two brothers and their wives, Theron and Wanda Ridenbark and Gene and Peggy Ridenbark, and a brother-in-law, Charlie Russell. 

Max was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Betty Alice Russell (who was like a 2nd mother to him), and Bob and his wife Doris Ridenbark, Albert Wayne Ridenbark, and brother-in-law, Don Honey. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Delhi Baptist Church, 18151 Church Lane, Jerseyville, Illinois, where the funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 1, 2026.  Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville. Memorials may be made to Delhi Baptist Church. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.

Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home