STILLMAN VALLEY – Myrna Jean Riley, age 87, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at the Pinecrest Terrace in Mt. Morris. She was born Sept. 18, 1934 in Tangier, Ind., the daughter of Ward and Juanita (Borders) Norman.
She graduated from Tangier High School in 1952. Myrna married Lewis B. Riley on Aug. 30, 1958 in Tangier, Ind. She managed a retail gift shop, “The Treasurer Tree,” which she and her husband Lewis owned in the 1980’s. Myrna attended the Kishwaukee Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church near Stillman Valley where she sang in the church choir. The church choir performed at Carnegie Hall and in Vienna, Austria. She also volunteered in the office and kitchen at church and attended the women’s bible study group. She liked gardening and sewing. Myrna had a pen pal and friend from England, Margaret Maloy, with whom she communicated for over 70 years. She volunteered at the Rockford Art Museum and previously was active in a bowling league. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt. Myrna was predeceased by her parents, her husband Lewis in 2018, and her sister Mary Frances McClain.
She is survived by her daughter Tammy (Dan) Thompson of Roscoe, son Michael (Julie) Riley of Bloomington, two brothers Wayne (Betty) Norman and Eugene (Ruth Ann) Norman, all of Crawfordsville, Indiana and four grandchildren; Megan Riley, Miles Riley, Brendan Riley, and Nathan Thompson, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 at the Kishwaukee Community Evangelical Covenant Church near Stillman Valley with the Rev. Rodney R. Caldwell Chaplin of the Pinecrest Community officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church from 10-11 a.m. Please wear a mask to attend the visitation or service. Burial will take place at the Kishwaukee Cemetery. A memorial fund is established in Myrna’s name for the Kishwaukee Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
