Marcia J. Riggs

Marcia Jean Riggs (Shanks) will be remembered for her life of service and taking care of others. Thousands of newborns and their mothers were comforted and cared for during her 45 years of nursing. Much of her career was spent on the night shift, a sacrifice she made so that she could spend days at home raising her children: Darin, Matthew, and Megan. She played an integral part in the family farm and the operations of the Sidney Dairy Barn along with her husband of 37 years, Dennis Riggs. The impact of her life was felt by all who knew her including her friends, neighbors, and fellow members of the United Community Church in Broadlands.

Later in life, Marcia poured much of her love into being a very involved “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Jake, Claire, Anna, Lilly, Sidney, and Paige. No family event was complete without her famous chicken and noodles. For the past four years, she has enjoyed the loving companionship of Lloyd Studniarz.

Marcia was born on February 3, 1957 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Sidney and Martha Shanks. She was the eldest of five children, including her twin brother Mike, sister Sharon, and brothers Steve and Mark. She was a 1975 graduate of Villa Grove High School. Directly after graduation, she attended the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria. Upon becoming a nurse, her first job was at Burnham Hospital. She was also a nurse at Mercy, Covenant, Provena, and concluded her career at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Carle.

Marcia courageously battled ovarian cancer for years, motivated by a desire to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. She passed away the morning of October 23rd in the farmhouse where she spent 30 years of her life. In accordance with her wishes, her ashes will be spread on that farm and a stone marker will be placed directly adjacent to other members of her family at Centennial Cemetery in Villa Grove.

A visitation will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Joines Funeral Home in Villa Grove.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. October 30, 2025 at United Community Church, 300 Lincoln St., Broadlands, IL.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the United Community Church in Broadlands or the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis.

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