BYRON – Verna Irene Riley, age 96, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday Sept. 11, 2019. She was born in Yates Center, Kan., on June 16, 1923 the daughter of Charles and Tressa (Terrell) Harman.
She married Earl Riley on October 25, 1945 in Rockford; he passed away on Nov. 28, 2006.Verna was a woman of strong Christian faith. She was a member of Central Christian Church in Rockford where she enjoyed Bible study. In her spare time, she enjoyed music especially old hymns, embroidering, crocheting, and was a passionate reader.
She is survived by her children, Sandra (Steven) Somers of Stillman Valley, Leroy Riley of Lincoln, Ill., Sharon (Michael) Gleason of Lincoln, Ill., Kathy (Charles) Nelson of Loves Park, Patrick (Marla) Riley of Vancouver, Wash., Patricia (Terry) Evans of Danville, and Roger Riley of Baltimore, Md.; siblings, Russell Harman, Jean McCormick, Emery (Bonnie) Harman, and Paul (Doris) Harman; grandchildren, Samuel (Michelle) Somers, Sarah (Daniel) Denny, Susan (Mark) Ellsworth, Bradley (Kim) Riley, Angela (Lien) Anderson, Nathaniel Nelson, Benjamin Nelson, Justin (Jenna) Riley, Rhonda (Matthew) Ward, and Bryant Evans; great grandchildren, Lindsey (Eric) Johnson, Megan (Hein) Peinke, Allison Denny, Regan Denny, Ashley (Conrad Furgason) Ellsworth, Trey Ellsworth, Zachary Anderson, Riley Anderson, Michael Anderson, David Anderson, Chase Ward, Chloe Ward, Kaleb Frazier, Braxton Lee Evans, Bailey Lynn Evans, Kaiden Riley, and Draylen Riley; and great great grandchildren, Delaney, Emerson, and Henry.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Loren.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Central Christian Church in Rockford with Pastor Sherm Nichols officiating. Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Stillman Valley Cemetery. To leave an online condolence visit www.FarrellHollandGale.com
