Earl Ray Riley 1929-2007

JOHNSON, RILEY

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 5/29/2007 at 08:44:10

Earl Ray Riley, 78, of Coralville, died Sunday, May 27, 2007 following a brief illness at UIHC surrounded by his family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am, Thursday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Jeff Belger officiating. Burial with military honors will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 3 to 8pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, the Earl Riley Memorial Fund has been established.

Earl was born May 11, 1929 in Des Moines, the son of Harold and Gladys Johnson Riley. He was a graduate of Dowling High School and a 1949 graduate of St. Ambrose University, where he lettered in football. Earl was a member of the undefeated 1948 team. Earl played football while serving in the United States Marines in San Diego.

He was united in marriage to Irene Gatens on November 23, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Irene died in 1992. In 1995, he was united in marriage to Diane Dreusicke.

Earl owned and operated Maher Bros Transfer & Storage from 1953 to 1992. He served
as the President of the National Mayflower Warehouse Association in 1978. He was a member
of the Elks Club, having served as the Exalted Ruler, and was also past President of the
Iowa City Swim Club. Earl was a strong supporter of City High Athletics, where his children attended school. He also supported the Regina athletic program, where he was an assistant football coach in the early 1960’s. Earl was an honorary Letterman of the University of Iowa
for his support of UI athletes, where two of his sons earned letters.

Earl is survived by his wife, Diane Dreusicke Riley of Coralville; one daughter, Danette (Mike) Lehman of Iowa City and their children Andrea and Riley; five sons, Terry (Jan) of Iowa City and their children Andrew and Philip, Larry (Crystal) of Chicago and their children Cole and Quinn, Tom (Lorie) of Iowa City and their son James, Tim (Paige) and their children Anne, Dana and Lincoln, Mike (Mary) and their children Caitlin and Cavan, both of Cedar Rapids; stepsons, Mark (Kathy) Dreusicke of Iowa City and their children Kalie and Conner and Jim (Debbie) Dreusicke of Coralville and their children Lauren and Anna; his sister Elliouse (Ken) Huffaker of Nevada; brother and sister-in-laws, Mary Lou Gatens, Dixie Riley, Harold Gatens and Whitey and Barbara Ford; numerous nieces and nephews.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene, an infant daughter Anne, his brother Robert,
and brother and sister-in-laws, Edmund and Mary Virginia Gatens, Mary Ellen Gatens and Don
Gatens.

On-line condolences and memories may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com