Jeffrey Richard Rivers

Jeffrey Richard Rivers, 39, of Alto Pass died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016.

He was born on Oct. 1, 1977, in Bryan, Texas, the son of Richard and Marilyn Krape Rivers. The family moved to Southern Illinois the next year, where he attended Giant City School and Carbondale High School.

He married Amber Mae Short on May 26, 2012, in Cobden. He studied history at Southern Illinois University and has enjoyed serving clients in the Southern Illinois region as a Microsoft Certified IT professional.

He was an avid reader, and was particularly interested in motoring and military history. As a motoring enthusiast and an active member of the Vintage Sports Car Club since 2008, he and Amber enjoyed traveling and participating in rallies and events involving pre-World War II cars.

Family was always important to him and in his mind, no family was ever complete without pets. Of late, his greatest joy and newest passion was watching the growth and development of his son, Alistair born three and a half months ago. He had already begun sharing his passions with Alistair and planning their future adventures together.

He is survived by his wife, Amber Rivers of Alto Pass; his son, Alistair Jeffrey Rivers; his parents, Richard and Marilyn Rivers of Alto Pass; a sister and brother-in-law, Jennie and Ben Nelson of Brimfield; a nephew and niece, Mika and Anja Nelson; his grandmother, Mayme Krape of St. Charles, Mo.; a great-aunt, Thelma Hooper of Mesquite, Texas; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He had three dogs and a cat.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Reuben and Vera Rivers and Harold Krape Jr.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Grand Avenue Christian Church in Carbondale, with Pastor Mitch Marrow officiating. Burial was in the Alto Pass Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Alistair’s College Fund, Alistair Jeffrey Rivers Fund, c/o The Bank of Carbondale.

To share a story or memory, visit www.meredithfh.com or his memorialized Facebook page.