Merlin Eugene Riley Death, Obituary – Merlin Eugene Riley, Jr., age 72, passed away at the HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois on the 15th of January, 2023. He called the town of Cowden in Illinois his home. He was born in Shelbyville on October 1, 1950, and his parents were Merlin Riley and Wanda (Lewis) Riley, Sr. Merlin Riley, Jr. was named after his father. He graduated from Cowden-Herrick High School in the year 1968 after having attended that institution. He wed Debra Bishop in December of 1967, and the happy pair had the good fortune to have a marriage that lasted 49 years until she died away on September 21, 2017. During that time, he and his wife were blessed with a lot of happiness.
Merlin worked as a union electrician in the electrical sector for a significant portion of his adult life. He is survived by his daughter, Lori Jean Riley, who lives in Sigel; his son, Troy Riley, who lives in Cowden; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eric Riley and Michael Riley; two sisters, Lola Marie Walker and Trisha Irene West; his stepsister, Alta Leona (Jerry-Leon), who lives in Cowden; and two nephews, Jerry Lee Clutter and Cory J. Clutter. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary The 15th of September, 2018 was the day he died away. His son Michael Shannon Riley and both of his parents had already passed away before he was born. It was not just him who passed away before his wife.
In order to honor Merlin’s wishes, the family has chosen against holding any kind of memorial service in his honor. During this difficult time, the staff at the Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Cowden is providing help to the family.
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