Clara Riccioni

Clara Riccioni, 87, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed peacefully away into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at Caretel in St. Joseph surrounded by her loving family. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph officiated by Father Jim Morris with burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held from 6:00p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with a prayer service at 7:30p.m. Memorial donations on Clara’s behalf may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Clara was born to Joseph and Margaret (McColluch) Ludlam on November 8, 1924 in St. Joseph, MI. She graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1945. Clara married the love of her life Vincent Riccioni on November 30, 1946 in St. Joseph. She was a devoted, loving mother and wife, working with her husband on the family blueberry farm. She also worked at the Whitcomb Hotel, Inman’s and Tosi’s restaurants. Clara is survived by her children; James (Liddy) Riccioni of Benton Harbor, Jerry (Kim) Riccioni of Chicago, John (Laurie Russo) Riccioni of Benton Harbor and Karen (James) Sigler of St. Joseph. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Andy Riccioni, Shelby Riccioni, Angela Riccioni, Adam (Jackie O’Dell) Riccioni, and Sean Sigler and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent in 2005, her parents, her sister Margaret Guinn, and her brothers Albert, Ralph, Kenneth, and Frederick Ludlam.