Loren D. Riley

Loren D. Riley, 87, of Erie, passed away at 12:50 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2022, at Guest Home Estates in Erie.

Loren Dale Riley was born on February 23, 1935, to Pearl and Goldie Hazel (Beery) Riley on the Big Island near St. Paul.  During his first few years, he lived in the St. Paul area before moving with his family to Western Oklahoma.  He moved to Oswego when his family moved back to the area in 1949.

In 1952, Loren moved to Parsons and worked at the Parsons Sun before joining the United States Army in 1953.  He spent 16 months of his 3 years of service in Korea.  From 1956 to 1958, Loren worked in construction in Wichita, Parsons and Pittsburg, before serving in the army another 3 years, most of which was spent in Germany.  Upon his honorable discharge in 1961, Loren returned to southeast Kansas and worked in construction until 1967.  For the next several years, he worked at several places including some local service stations, Power Flame and Ankortite.  From 1975 to 1998, Loren delivered the Wichita Eagle and Kansas City Star newspapers.  He moved to Erie in 2005 and had lived there since.

He was a member of the Church of Christ.  One of his favorite past times was recording Country and Western music.

On December 24, 1956, Loren and Joyce Ann Lovell were united in marriage.  The couple later divorced.  On December 23, 1964, Loren and Thelma Elizabeth Cutshall were married.  She preceded him in death on February 12, 1993.

Survivors include:

One sister-in-law – Kay Waltmire of Independence, Kansas

Nieces – Lisa Schwenker of Independence, Kansas; Darlene Jump of Texas; Sandy Shears of Altamont, Kansas; and Roberta Sharp of Parsons, Kansas

Nephews – Scott Rosenstiel and David Sharp of Parsons, Kansas

Cousin – Judy Hazen of Parsons, Kansas

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Thelma; one son, Ronald Dale Riley; five brothers; and two sisters.

The graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Hosey Hill Cemetery in rural Weir with military honors presented by Brown-Bishop, VFW Post 704 . Services are under the direction of the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.