Edmund Ellerson Riker, Sr., 84, of Front Royal, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Royal Haven in Front Royal surrounded by his loving family.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Maddox Funeral Home conducted by Pastor Danny Clegg. Interment will follow in the Panorama Memorial Gardens at Waterlick with military honors.

Mr. Riker was born on May 9, 1932, in Washington D.C. son of the late Homer M. Riker and Josephine Desmond Riker Webb. Mr. Riker was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked as a union electrician for 55 years for the I.B.E.W. Local #26. He was recently preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Ruth Blackwell Riker who passed away on March 19, 2017.

Surviving are five children Edmund E. Riker, Jr., Blake Riker, Mark F. Riker, Sally Nobbs, and Michael L. Riker, Sr.; two half-sisters Mary Jo Blaine and Victoria Gregory both of Suitland, MD; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Brian Whited, John E. Jenkins, III, Michael L. Riker, Jr., Ethan K. Palmer, Shane Nobbs, and Collin Dunivan.

Honorary pallbearers will be sons.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 11 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Front Royal Baptist Temple, 28 West 18th Street, Front Royal, VA 22630 or to the Blue Ridge Hospice. 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.