RILEY, Melvin Lee, 1929-1998

RILEY, GRISSOM, MCBETH, VAN WYK, FITZGERALD, THOMPSON, BARCUS

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 2/26/2012 at 10:03:57

Ottumwa (IA) Courier
Friday, 28 February 1998

Melvin Riley

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Melvin L. "Popeye" Riley, 68, of 1016 Peniel St., University Park, died Feb. 25, 1998, at Pleasant Park Nursing Home.

He was born May 1, 1929, in Farson to Adrian and Gleda Grissom Riley. He married E. Mary McBeth on June 30, 1977, east of Fremont.

In his early adult life he farmed. Later, he worked for John Deere Ottumwa Works for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He was fire chief in Hedrick for several years and drove a school bus for Hedrick and Oskaloosa schools. He also worked for Home Oil Short Stop in Oskaloosa. He was also a member of the Eagles and several CB clubs.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Danny Riley of Mt. Pleasant and Dennis Riley of California; two step-sons, Sonny McBeth of Oskaloosa and Homer McBeth of Beacon; a step-daughter, Thelma Van Wyk of Oskaloosa; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry Gene Riley of Cedar; and two sisters, Helen Fitzgerald of Martinsburg and Dorothy Thompson of Oskaloosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents: a daughter, Carol Ann Barcus; and two brothers, Earl and Lloyd Riley.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bates Funeral chapel, the Rev. Harold Schutte officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral chapel with the family present from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Memorials may be made to the Melvin Riley Memorial fund.