Mike Riddle

Mike Riddle of Toledo, OH passed away peacefully on Monday, November 11, surrounded by his family, after a valiant battle with diabetes. He endured so much, without complaint, a testament to his strength and character.

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1951, Mike jumpstarted his career young as a paper boy. He graduated from Start High School in 1969 and married his high school sweetheart, Sandy. Together they built a wonderful, loving life and happy home, raising three children.

While working at Strong Electric, Mike earned an Associate’s Degree from the University of Toledo to pursue a career in law enforcement. (He loved to remind us, he earned an A in Disco class, too.)

Mike served his community, first as a Toledo Police Officer, beginning July 7, 1977, then as an Undercover Vice Detective and ultimately retired as a Homicide Detective in 2007, with 30 years of service to the city of Toledo. He was a dedicated professional investigator who managed a great number of high-profile cases. He’s the kind of guy who is written about in Police Academy textbooks and served as a mentor to a legacy of talented detectives.

To know Mike was to laugh, to feel secure and to be included – sometimes as the punchline of his joke or a victim to his prank.

Mike enjoyed golfing in Toledo’s Guns & Hoses league, spending time cooking for his family – he was our Top Chef! – traveling and making memories with family and friends, especially at our condo in Surfside Beach, SC.

He was a lover of history, animals and above all else, children. His life’s work was raising his kids and providing for his family. After retirement, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren as “Papa Manny” and telling us endless incredible, wise and comedic stories.

A man of honor, integrity and good will, Mike was a faithful husband, dad, Papa, friend and servant of God. He touched so many and is sorely missed, until we meet again.

Surviving are his wife, Sandy; his children Michael (Alison) Riddle of Chelsea, MI, Kelly Riddle of Oak Ridge, NC and Jodie (Pat) Tucker of Monclova, OH; his brother, Ralph Riddle and sister, Cindy Leavell. Mike has six treasured grandchildren: Makayla, Leo, Adalyn, Reagan, Lilly and Olivia as well as many nieces, nephews, fellow officers and detectives and dear friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Rufus and Vivian Riddle as well as his in-laws, Herman and Joan Buchler.

Friends will be received at Newcomers Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, OH (419-381-1900), from 3-8 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2024, with a special tribute to Mike beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral Services will begin at Newcomer Funeral Home at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, November 19 with a procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, where Mike and Sandy were married on September 25, 1970. Funeral Mass will be led by Monsignor Michael Billian at 10 a.m. at 5373 Main St., Sylvania, OH, with a luncheon to follow.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Wounded Warrior Foundation or Toledo Police Foundation.