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Jack Riesenbeck
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Jack R. Riesenbeck, 91, passed away March 28, 2008 at Hy-Lond Convalescent Hospital in Modesto.

He was born Nov. 3, 1916 in San Jose to parents John and Maude Riesenbeck. They moved to Escalon when he was six years old. His parents lived on Kern Street, just a half block from Escalon High School, for the remainder of their lives.

His father, also known as Jack, was a well-known and outgoing person who owned and operated what was then the Chevron service station at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Main Street, where Emil's Liquors is located today.

He also had an uncle, Dayton (Duke) Flagg, who lived on Sacramento Street for many years until his death at age 94. The Escalon Times once published an article about Dayton being the oldest Escalon resident.

He attended Escalon Grammar School and Escalon High School. He began working at what was then the Petri Winery, located three miles west of Escalon on Highway 120. During his youth he was an active fisherman and hunter with his father, uncle and friends. He was also known for riding his motorcycles and was an avid boat builder and water skier.

Mr. Riesenbeck married Adeline Jerome on July 15, 1944. They built a home on Sierra Drive and the family lived there for several years. As the foreman of cellar operations at the Petri Winery, Mr. Riesenbeck was invited by the company to live on the company premises and he moved to the winery in 1956. He lived at the winery until he retired after 46 years of dedicated service.

Survivors include his sons, Ron Riesenbeck (Kathy) of Oakdale, Gary Riesenbeck (Eileen) of Escalon, Mark Riesenbeck (Bernadette) of Lodi, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His second wife, Norma Conway of Modesto, also survives him.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Maude, his wife of more than 54 years Adeline, his brother Donald (Buzz) Riesenbeck and sister Ruth Jenkins, who passed away just two month before his death.

Burial was on Thursday, April 3 at Burwood Cemetery on River Road.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

April 9, 2008