Howard H. "Pete" Rider

HOWLAND - Howard Henry "Pete" Rider Jr., 86, passed away on Thursday evening June 26, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Niles on July 23, 1927 the son of Howard and Margaret (Reese) Rider Sr. He was nicknamed "Pete" at birth by his 3 year old sister who loved Peter Rabbit. A 1945 graduate of Niles McKinley High School, he honorably served as a United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine. At an early age he started working at his grandfather's Rider Grocery Store until 1957. He started Rider Landscaping which evolved into Rider Services. Throughout the Mahoning Valley, Rider Services was known for building maintenance, landscaping, courier services and property management. He was also an instructor at the Mahoning Valley Vocational School where he taught landscape design as well as developing and maintaining the onsite greenhouse. In his later years, after driving over 500,000 miles and making friends as a courier, he retired at the age of 80. He was the oldest male member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles, where four generations of Rider's were Elders. He was a lifetime member of the Niles Jaycees and served as president during the State of Ohio's Sesquicentennial in 1953. He also organized Halloween Parades, Bike Hikes to Niagara Falls and Cedar Point and served as the State Youth Chairman. He also was a member of the Niles McKinley Football Frontliners. Pete enjoyed his vegetable and flower gardens at home, woodworking and watching his grandchildren's sports activities. He was known for his loyalty, creativity and work ethic, but most of all the love of his family. Pete is survived by his wife Emlyn "Lyn" (Money) Rider whom he married on April 16, 1950; six children, Thomas (Stephanie) Rider of Girard, Barbara (Jeffrey) Wood of Champion, Carol (Arno) Hill of Lordstown, James (Jennifer) Rider of Howland, Cynthia (David) Adams of Williamsville, New York, Nancilee Rider and Rik Peake of Alameda, California; 13 grandchildren, Megan (Chris) Mintern, Lindsay Rider, Elizabeth Wood, Jessica Wood, Kerry McCormick (Carrie Gibson), Kevin (Melinda) McCormick, Katie (Keith) Collinsworth, Peter (Carly) Rider, Matthew Rider, Thomas (Molly) Rider, Aaron Adams, Haley Adams, Michael Aller; five great grandchildren, Brianna and Colin McCormick, Avery Rider, Brooklyn Rider, Payton Rider. He was preceded in death by his sister, Myrtle Ann Mateer. Calling Hours will be Tuesday, July 1, 2014 from 4 to 6 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Niles. The Funeral will follow at 6:00 pm at the church, officiated by Church Elder, David Sekerak. Military Honors will be provided by the Trumbull County Honor Guard. Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 4 Summit Street, Niles, Ohio 44446 or Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44512. Arrangements by Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 126 West Park Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446. Visit www.holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and send condolences.

Visitation

JUL 1. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)

First Presbyterian Church of Niles 4 Summit Street Niles, OH 44446

Funeral

JUL 1. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)

First Presbyterian Church of Niles 4 Summit Street Niles, OH 44446