John "Jack" Riley

BLISSFIELD – John F. “Jack” Riley died Saturday, February 26, 2011, at Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. He spent his last day surrounded by his loving family. Jack was born December 24, 1923, at Toledo, Ohio, the son of Frank and Marie (Smith) Riley. As a boy Jack enjoyed fishing and trapping along the River Raisin and hunting. He was an Eagle Scout. While in high school he played first base for the Blissfield High School baseball team earning three varsity letters and football, earning two varsity letters as well as playing the clarinet for the Blissfield High School Band. Following graduation in 1941, Jack attended Michigan State University. On June 18, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a radioman on the USS Dennis and USS Gasconade and, while on board the USS Dennis, was a part of the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to Michigan State University and graduated in 1949. While a student at MSU, he was inducted into the history honorary fraternity, Psi Sigma Alpha. Following graduation, he attended the University of Michigan Law School where he met Patricia “Pat” J. Williamson. They were married August 25, 1951, in Bay City, Michigan. Jack transferred to Detroit College of Law where he graduated in June 1953. Following graduation, Jack and Pat returned to Blissfield where he began the practice of law following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John A. Riley, who began the practice of law in 1888, and his father, Frank J. Riley. Jack served as Blissfield Village Attorney from 1957 until his death. Jack was active in his community. He was Past President of the Blissfield Rotary Club, Past President of the Blissfield Alumni Association, Past President of the Lenawee County Bar Association and the first President of St. Peter Catholic Church Council and was a Trustee of the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library in Blissfield. He served on the Board of Directors of Jipson-Carter State Bank from 1961 until 1984, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1983 to 1984. In 1984, he joined the Board of Directors of Blissfield State Bank and served there until 2007. Jack was also a member of the Blissfield American Legion and River Raisin Sportsmen’s Club. Jack was a member of Light of Christ Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Campus, where he served as an usher for 50 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed the out of doors and his trips to Drummond Island for deer hunting and fishing at Higgins Lake, Michigan with his children and grandchildren. Jack is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Pat, his son and law partner, Frank (Donna) of Blissfield, daughter, Kathleen of Sylvania; daughter-in-law, Pam of Grosse Ile; granddaughter, Alexandra of Blissfield, grandson, Blaine of Ann Arbor; and granddaughter, Brianna of Grosse Ile; step grandson, Derek Baugh of Mt. Pleasant, S. C.; and step granddaughter, Rene Teater of Adrian. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Edward, and a son, John W. Riley. Mass of the Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Light of Christ Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Campus with Msg. Dennis Metzger as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel on Tuesday from 2 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Blissfield Fire Department, The Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences are welcome at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com.

John "Jack" Riley

December 24, 1923 - February 26, 2011