About
Gary Riley Obituary
Gary Joe Riley was born on September 17, 1947, at Ellsworth Air Force base near Rapid City, S.D., to Melvin Harrison and Ernestine (Rogers) Riley. He grew up on a farm near Prescott, IA, and attended Prescott school, graduating in 1965.
Gary was united in marriage to Rita Nelsen in July 1966. They had 2 children together, Nicole was born in 1969, and Jess was born in 1971. Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968, and later joined the National Guard, transferring to the Army Reserve, completing his 20 years of service. Gary and Rita later divorced.
On June 13, 1987, Gary was united in marriage to Kim (Anderson) at Salem Lutheran Church in Creston. Gary was a member of Prescott Methodist Church, ABATE of Iowa, Creston Elks Lodge #605, Creston Eagles Lodge #1398, and is a member of the Union County Veterans Board.
Gary is survived by his wife Kim of Creston, daughter Nicole (husband Kenny) Cooney, son Jess (Tammy) Riley; grandchildren, Emily (Joey) Huntington, grandson Matthew Riley; and his great-grandchild, Reedy Huntington; cousins, Lorri (Izzy) Glover of IA., Ron Christ of Calif., Catherine (Ron) Christ of Calif., George Christ of IA., and Janet Goldsmith of IA.; his sister-in-law, Karmen (Paul) Mattsen of Minnesota, brother-in-law, Brad (Donna) Andreson of Arkansas; mother-in-law, Joyce Anderson of Creston; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, LaVerne Anderson.
"To fear death, gentlemen, is nothing other than to think oneself wise when one is not, for it is to think one knows what one does not know. No man knows whether death may not even turn out to be the greatest of blessings for a human being; and yet people fear it as if they know for certain that it is the greatest of evils." -Socrates
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601 New York Ave PO Box 431, Creston, IA 50801
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