Alva C. Riley 1912 - 1997

RILEY, NAPIER, SOUTH, PERRY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2014 at 17:48:52

Sloan Starlet
12 March 1997

Alva C. Riley, 84, Onawa, Iowa, died Tuesday, February 25, 1997, at Burgess Memorial Hospital in Onawa.

Mr. Riley was born December 2, 1912, at Sloan, Iowa, the son of John C. and Evaline (Napier) Riley. On October 12, 1940, he married Betty Perry at Hartington, Nebraska. She died February 14, 1960. He had farmed in the Onawa area for nearly 50 years. He served as president and organizer of the Riley Reunion since 1955. He married Florence South January 13, 1961, in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple moved into Onawa in 1981. He had been employed by Cap Robinson as an electrician, by Doc Wilmont with Allis-Chalmers, and at the Co-op Elevator. He had been a resident of Elmwood Care Centre for the last year.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Onawa and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing.

Survivors include his wife, Florence of Onawa; a son and his wife, Larry and Vickie Riley of Whiting; 2 step-sons and their wives, Donald and Bonnie Coleman of Denison and Norman and Mary Coleman of Omaha, Nebraska; 3 step-daughters, Mrs. Dan (Lisa) Koch of North Platte, Nebraska, Judy Riley of Omaha, Nebraska, and Glennda Engelgau of Onawa; 21 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Nina Rush of Onawa; a special sister-in-law, Flora South of Onawa; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Betty; an infant son and an infant daughter; 2 granddaughters; 5 brothers; and 4 sisters.

Interment was in Grant Township Cemetery, Rodney, Iowa, with arrangements by Pearson Funeral Home, Onawa, Iowa.

Funeral Services were held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 28, 1997, at the First Christian Church, Onawa, Iowa, with Pastor Donald R. Ludwick officiating. The organist was Mrs. Vince Phillips and the soloist, Mr. Kenneth South, sang the selections, "In The Garden", "The Old Rugged Cross", and "Amazing Grace".

Honorary Bearers were Charles Bentley, Jens Bruun, Henry Ludd, Robert Robinson, Charlie Brown, Sr., and John Maule.

Casket Bearers were Donnie Lorne Coleman, Guy Dean Coleman, Donald Coleman, Jr., John L. Riley, Eric L. Riley, and Matthew Riley.