Born: April 6, 1955 - Deceased: 20211208
Darla K. Bridges, nee Riddle, 66, of Belleville, IL, born Wednesday, April 6, 1955, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.
Darla was an educator for Wolf Branch School District 113, where she worked and retired after 43 years of service to the Swansea community. She often spoke of the happiness it brought her to see former students and, as years passed, to teach their children, too. Outside of work, above all, her real passion and drive was her faith, followed by family, friends, and dogs. The cornerstone of her life was her marriage, which traversed 40 beautiful years of unwavering love to her husband. Her sons, her pride and joy, brought immeasurable delight to which she frequently spoke about and shared their successes with others. And, in recent years, that pride and joy extended without bounds to her grandchildren, which filled her heart with warmth and bliss as she became “MawMaw”. Amongst all of this, the absolute foundation in Darla’s life was her faith and love for Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL, and an active participant in Exploring the Teachings of Christ (ETC) Sunday School class and Bible Study Fellowship as well as P.E.O. Chapter NM.
Surviving are her:
- Husband, Robert T. Bridges of Belleville, IL
- Parents, Jay W. and Carlene M., nee Koch, Riddle of Belleville, IL
- Sons:
- Thomas A. (Ashley L.) Bridges of Millstadt, IL
- Andrew R. Bridges of Belleville, IL
- Brother, Gregory (Judy Lockhart) Riddle of Belleville, IL
- Sister, Debra (Rick) Kretschmer of Clayton, NC
- Grandchildren:
- Vivian L. Bridges
- Samuel R. Bridges
- Nephews:
- Brett Riddle
- Kyle Riddle
- Steven Kretschmer
- Nieces:
- Lauren (Michael) Meadows
- Julia Kretschmer
- Great nieces:
- Bennett Meadows
- Clarey Meadows
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Darla to the Life Network of Southern Illinois at 722 N. Market St., Waterloo, IL 62298.
Visitation: Visitation from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Monday, December 20, 2021 at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL and from 9:30 am – 10:30 am Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the Church.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 1200 Moreland Drive, Belleville, IL with Rev. Larry Patton officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
10 Comments
Darla was one very special lady. A true believer and servant of God. Always a very kind snd loving wife, mother and friend. As her pastor for many years I knew her love for Jesus. Our prayers for Bob and family.
I will truly miss sitting with the choir, looking upward toward the balcony, and seeing Darla, faithfully in her seat next to Bob. God bless her family during this emotional time in their lives.
My heart goes out to her family. Mrs. Bridges was the best math teacher I ever had. I still remember the way she spoke to me and how she taught me. She always encouraged me when I was struggling and how she helped me as much as she could. I will never forget the kindness she showed me ❤️
Bob my family and I are so saddened to hear of Darlas passing…. We are so sorry for your loss and sending you and your family many prayers….
So sorry for your loss. Greg Riddle, my friend…my condolences.
Darla was such a wonderful colleague and friend. She was always willing to help out in any way and had a heart of gold. Her family had such a strong, loving bond that was centered around God. She was always so proud of Bob, her sons and her beautiful grandchildren and her daschunds. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her stories that she shared at lunch. Wolf Branch is a better place because of her!
I will always remember her being such a wonderful attentive mother. Her boys never lacked love and anything they needed. She was a kind soul
Darla was a very kind and loving person, God Bless her Family 🙏
My next door neighbor growing up on Carr Drive. Sorry to hear about Darla’s passing.
My deepest condolences to the Bridges and Riddle families . My prayers for you at this time are of peace and comfort as well as understanding that she is in a much better place . We’ll see her again someday .