Jerry E. Riley
May 10, 1940 — July 29, 2024
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Service Details
Jerry Earl Riley, age 84, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Jerry was born May 10, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa to Bert and Mabel (Thompson) Riley. He was a lifelong resident of the Des Moines area. Jerry graduated from East High School. He worked for the City of Des Moines in garbage collection until his retirement in 1997. He married the love of his life, Jan Riley, and they enjoyed 38 years together prior to her passing.
Jerry proudly served in the United States Army from 1957 - 1959. He dedicated much of his time to volunteer work. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, cooking, gardening, reading, and listening to 50s music. Jerry loved hosting car shows, and was a proud owner of English bulldogs.
He is survived by his children, Chris (Heidi) Riley, Melissa (Brian) Bosworth, and Lori (Steve) Richman; grandchildren, Stacey Riley (Ryan Simmer), Wendi (Coulton) Thorpe, Boone Russo, Megan (Evan) Hughes, Corey (Kate) Bosworth, Jacob Portinga, Jamie (Katie) Cole, Katie (Jeff) Wilson, and Kyle (Jessica) Richman; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Janet “Jan” Riley in 2014; parents, Bert and Mabel Riley; and daughter, Donna.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Joyce (Priest) Goedken
08/01/2024
Melissa and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time of the passing of your dad. May God bring you peace and may your memories be sweet.
Tina Crees
07/31/2024
I live across the street from Jerry. When I moved here, Jerry was so kind to me.
The day I was moving in, within 2 hours Jerry and Dozer came over for introductions and welcome my daughter and I.
A couple days later he brought me a hanging planter with petunias and a shepards hook to hang it from.
In the summer he would make what he called salsa and I called pico de gallo, and alway brought me a container full. I returned his container with a couple beers for us and we would sit on the patio and catch up.
He touched so many lives with his generosity and positivity. We are better for having known him.
Ii will miss his kindness, him checking in on me, his humor, and his friendship
❤️,
marla young
07/31/2024
I have wonderful memories of my uncle Jerry. I am so glad Leslie and I got to spend the afternoon with him last year.
Molly Weber
07/30/2024
Uncle Jerry was a great guy. I remember spending so much time at Jan and Jerry’s house. I loved his peanut butter joke and would make him tell it to me every time I saw him.
Ronda
07/30/2024
Was not thinking today would be the day I would hear this sad news. I always love walking into a Riley or Richardson event and see Jerry's smiling face. He will be so greatly missed. My love and prayers go out to the family and friends.