BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Lewis “Richard” Riley, 86, a man of many talents, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 18, 2025, in Bloomington, Illinois. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, at at Park Cemetery in Columbus. Full military rites will be accorded. Family will receive friends staring at 9 a.m. prior to the graveside service at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus.
Richard was born in Chetopa on Dec. 28, 1938, to Lewis and Iona (Bolin) Riley. He attended school in Chetopa, graduating in 1956. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he spent the next 22 years of his life. Army base pay was $95/month, and he was offered an additional $55/month if he agreed to jump out of an airplane. He could not pass that offer up and his Airborne career was born. After 750 jumps, two tours of Vietnam (as part of the 101st Airborne), bases in Korea, Germany and the U.S., numerous awards and citations, including a Bronze Star with Valor, he decided to hang up his parachute. Richard married Georgia (Conard) on Jan. 6, 1993. Together they traveled the globe and had more adventures than they could count. He spent his “retirement” riding his motorcycle with Georgia on the back, making a stable of rocking horses, cars and toys that will be enjoyed by children for generations to come, fostering dogs, dispensing wisdom and enjoying life to the fullest. He was extraordinarily gifted with quips and never met a situation that he did not have a witty response for.
Richard is survived by daughter Penny Repschlaeger; and sons Lewis Richard “Skip” (Julee) Riley II, Michael “Scott” Riley and Lawrence “Todd” Riley. He is also survived by bonus daughter Beth (Todd) Vincent; and bonus sons Dennis Stapleton (Jill Lawelin), David Stapleton (Ruthie Clemente) and Jason Sherley. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two nieces.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise (Jesse) Kepford and Marie (Roy) Fair; former wife Lil West; and beloved dogs Scoober and Wally.
He had strong opinions and was never afraid to let them be known. He loved and believed in the Constitution and for what he fought. The world was a better place because he was here. Memorials can be made in his name to Wishbone or Ruby’s Rescue in Bloomington, Illinois.
