Riley, Josephine Wilma – 1925-2017

CARPENTER, CHANDLER, JENNINGS, RILEY

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:27

Josephine Wilma Riley, 91, passed peacefully from this world Thursday, March 23, 2017, at Northbrook Manor Care Center in Cedar Rapids. Upon her death, Josephine donated her body to The University of Iowa Medical Clinic. She was remembered at her private memorial service Monday, March 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Hall in Walker, conducted by Father Ardel Barta. Interment will be at a later date at the Colfax Cemetery.
Josephine is survived by a sister, Virginia Chandler (Dean) of Bettendorf; a niece, Susan Carpenter; and nephews, Michael and David Chandler and John, Alan and Mark Jennings. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hazel Pauline Riley; and a sister, Marilynn Jennings.
She was born April 18, 1925, in Colfax. At the age of 12, she unfortunately lost her sight. She graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton. During this time she learned to play the violin, and her love of music continued for her entire life. She was employed as a switchboard operator until she retired to Walker. She resided in Walker until failing health prompted her to move to The Northbrook Care Center in Cedar Rapids for the past two years. Josephine lost her sight on this earth, but now, with God, she can see eternal light.
Memorials will be accepted by the Walker Lions Club to be donated to eyesight research. Please share a memory of Josephine at murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Source: Prairie City (IA) News; Thursday, March 30, 2017, page 2