Bernard E. Riley

Bernard Eugene Riley or "Riley" as everyone called him, age 90, died at Brookestone Acres in Columbus, NE on November 3, 2014.

Bernard Eugene Riley was born August 4, 1924 in Salina, Kansas, to Ed & Fanny (Cummings) Riley. He grew up on a farm in Ottawa County 5 miles west of Longford, Kansas. When he was in high school his family moved to Minneapolis, Kansas then two years later moved to Delphos, Kansas where he worked in the family owned grocery store. He attended Minneapolis High School for two years and finished at Delphos High School.

Riley was drafted into the Army in 1943, and served in the 92nd Replacement Battalion in France and on into Germany. He was discharged as Sergeant on December 5th 1945. In 1947 he joined the Air Corps and started out as mess sergeant at Mathers Air Force base. He was transferred to Smokey Hill Air Base in Salina Kansas where he met his bride to be, Edna Karlin. He passed flight training tests and was sent to Randolph Field in San Antonio, TX for 6 months and then was transferred back to Smokey Hill, where he and Edna were married on May 10, 1949. In 1950 he was discharged from the Air Corps. In April 1951 he was called back into the Army Reserves and was discharged in November 1951 which ended his military service.

On December 1951, he was hired as Christmas help at J.C. Pennys in Salina, Kansas. In 1956 he was promoted to Department Manager and transferred to a store in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1958 he moved to Arkansas, Kansas and was promoted to Store Assistant Manager. In 1962 was promoted to Manager of his first store in LaCrosse, Kansas. He went on to manage stores in Red Cloud, Gordon and finally York, Nebraska. He retired in August, 1984. His temporary Christmas help job lasted 33 years.

Riley was a member of the Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight. He loved to travel and treasured the memories of his trip to Ireland and Niagara Falls with Edna, fishing trip to Saskatchewan, his trips with his sister Sheryl to Israel, the Holy Land and the Lourdes Shrine in France, and his World War II Honor Flight in 2008 with his son Randy.

Riley will be especially remembered for his strong Catholic Faith, his never quit attitude, his quick wit, and his dedication to his family.

Survivors include a son Randy (Annette) of Columbus, 4 Sisters; Sheryl Rauch of Elwood, NE, Patricia Pointer and Tonya Shea of Minneapolis, KS, Nora Shafer of Salina, KS: 5 Grandchildren: Susan (Mike) Brown of Omaha, NE; Chris Riley of Seattle, WA; Zach (Jenn) Riley of Aurora, CO; Adam & Jake LaRose of Omaha, NE. 2 Great Grandsons, William and Patrick Brown of Omaha, NE; many other nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and neighbors.

Riley was preceded in death by his parents Ed & Fanny Riley, wife Edna Riley, son Rodney Riley, sister Mary Lou Grimm and brother OJ Buzz Riley.

Thanks to all the care workers that helped Riley at the Landing, in Lincoln, at the VA Home in Belleview, St. Josephs Villa in David City and Brookestone Acres in Columbus.