Obituary for Sheila Riggs Keeling

Sheila Riggs Keeling, age 76, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Rancho Cucamonga, CA passed away at the Donna and Dennis Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy on January 9, 2024.

Sheila was born in Middlesboro, KY to Leo Jack Riggs and Bonnie Gene Hamlin on February 2, 1947. She graduated from 71st High School in Fayetteville, NC in 1965. She went on to earn a BA degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in 1969. After her retirement from Civil Service for the US Air Force, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Information and Library Sciences from Cal State University in San Bernadino, CA in 1995.

After her graduation from college, Sheila was employed by the U.S. Civil Service, U.S. Air Force in the Contracting and Policy Department first in Boston, MA area and then at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernadino, CA where she worked until her retirement in 1994.

Sheila met the love of her life, William (Bill) Keeling at a U.S. Government contracting class in Alexandria, VA. They were married afterwards in May 1976 in Alexandria, VA and moved to Bill's home in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Sheila enjoyed a variety of hobbies and crafting handiwork. She was a member of the Nite Owls quilters for many years and made many gorgeous quilts and wall hangings. She also loved quilling, needlepoint, crocheting, and card stamping and card creation. She was a lifelong reader and worked for a period of time at the Information resource desk at the Rancho Cucamonga, CA public library.

A passion that Sheila and Bill shared was domestic and international travel. They enjoyed exploring the sights and museums and the local cuisine. They also loved their dogs Pepper, Ginger and Kasey.

Sheila is survived by her sisters, Terri (Brian) Beasmore and Jacqueline Terry; nieces Michelle (Chris) Huffman, Lori (Doug) Orr and Lynn Keeling Nauman; nephews Brian (Gabe) Terry and William Terry; and many great-nephews and grand-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Bonnie Riggs, her husband William (Bill) Keeling, her sister Lisa Riggs Terry and nephew Robert (Bob) Keeling.

The family would like to give a special thank-you to Right at Home for the wonderful care they gave Sheila while she was in Cedar Rapids. We also give a heartfelt thank-you to the staff at the Donna and Dennis Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for the compassionate and loving care they gave Sheila in her last days of life.

Per Sheila's wishes, there will be no visitation or services at this time. A private service may be held at a later date.

Sheila will be inurned in Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, CA. Cedar Memorial/Iowa Cremation will be overseeing these arrangements.

In lieu of flowers and plants, please consider a donation to the Red Cross, ASPCA, Doctors Without Borders, and the Donna and Dennis Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, in Sheila’s memory.