Maurice Riley

Maurice "Moe" William Riley, 78, of Iola, Kansas, died Thursday, January 8, 2009, at his home. He was born March 31, 1930, at Piqua, Kansas, to William J. and Frances (Nieman) Riley. He received his elementary schooling in Piqua, attended Rockhurst High School in Kansas City and then transferred and graduated from Maur Hill High School in Atchison in 1948. He received his Bachelor Of Science degree in 1952 from St. Benedicts College (Now Benedictine College). Moe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, in the Intelligence Corp as a Photo Interpreter. He served with the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. After his discharge he worked as a negotiator for Westinghouse Aviation Gas Turbine Division in Kansas City, MO with the Navy. On Nov. 13, 1954, Maurice married Rose Mary Strathman at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca, KS. They lived in Kansas City and later moved to Piqua where he farmed and raised cattle. In 1961, he became the rural mail carrier in Piqua, and in 1971 was transferred to Iola. He and Rose Mary then moved to Iola. He was a lifetime member of the Kansas State Historical Society and served on the initial board of the Woodson County Historical Society. He served on the Piqua State Bank board for 20 years. He was the founding president of the Rural Water District No.1, establishing a water plant in Neosho Falls. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Iola, and a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He served on the church committees at St. Martin's in Piqua and St. John's in Iola. He and Rose Mary worked with Catholic Engaged Encounter, led over fifty weekend retreats, and served as Coordinators for the Wichita Diocese. SURVIVORS: Wife: Rose Mary Riley of the home 4 Children: Gregg Riley & wife, Tami of Redwood Falls, MN, Karen Pendleton & husband, John of Lawrence, KS, Jolene Reeh of McDonald, KS, and Philip Riley & wife, Dawn of Oregon, IL 9 Grandchildren: Brian, Megan, Mitch & Brett Riley, Elizabeth, Margaret & Will Pendleton and Naomi & Kenan Reeh 1 Brother: Robert Riley & wife, Frances of LaJolla, CA He was preceded in death by his parents and by a son-in-law, Robert Reeh. ROSARY: 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. VISITATION: 7-9:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home following the rosary. MASS: 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. BURIAL: St. Martin's Cemetery at Piqua, Kansas MEMORIALS: Suggested to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome International, St. Benedict's Abbey or Allen County Healthcare Foundation (Hospice). Contributions may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com .