John T. “Jack” Riley Sr.
John T. “Jack” Riley Sr., age 79, of Highland, passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Upland Hills Health following a long illness. Jack was born on December 29, 1932 in Highland to Thomas and Berniece (Lamke) Riley. Following graduation from the Highland High School in 1951, he served four years in the U.S. Navy during which time he participated in the Pacific Atomic Testing. Jack married the former Mary Lou Miller of Highland on November 5, 1955. Jack was well known as a house and barn painter in the Highland area and was also a Mail Carrier for 35 years before retiring in 1993. Jack was community minded and was a member of the Highland V.F.W. and American Legion, the Highland Lion’s Club and the White Eagles. He was a longtime member of the Highland Fire Department and served on St. Philip’s Church Council, the Highland Village Board and was an original member of the Blackhawk Lake Committee. Jack also enjoyed hunting, especially rabbits, fire department water fights and grilling chicken for the community and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Jim Hebgen and three brothers-in-law, Paul Yanna; Roman Wiedholz and Jack Miller.
Jack is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Highland; seven children, Sue (Klark) Stocks of Highland; Sandi Hebgen of Highland; John (Leslie) Riley of Highland; Pat (Kelly) Riley of Forest Lake, IL; Dan (Lisa) Riley of Fennimore; Mike (Sandy) Riley of Highland and Matt (Amy) Riley of Chehalis, WA; 22 grandchildren; 20 ½ great grandchildren; three brothers, Tom (Lisa) Riley of Highland; Jim (Georgia) Riley of Highland and Bill (Sharon) Riley of Muscoda; two sisters, Jane Wiedholz of Highland and Patricia Yanna of Highland; two brothers-in-law, Tom (Jan) Miller of Cobb and Ken (Janet) Miller of Madison; a sister-in-law, Marie Miller of Bonne Terre, MO as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Jack’s family wish to extend their sincere appreciation to Highland Fire and EMS and Bloomfield Health Care and Rehab for the compassionate care they gave to Jack.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Highland with Fr. Kenneth J. Frisch officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Philip’s Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Highland V.F.W. and American Legion. Friends may call at the church on Saturday after 11:00 A.M. Memorials to the Highland Fire and EMS would be greatly appreciated.
