Friday, March 29, 2024

Arvel Cleatus Riley – Obituary

Arvel Cleatus Riley, 88, a resident of Karnak, Illinois, passed away Sunday, August 31, 2014 at 10:35 p.m. at Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis, Illinois.

Cleatus was born December 16, 1925 in Karnak.  He was the son of Arvel Chester and Dollie Gertrude (Harner) Riley.

Cleatus was united in marriage to Glenna Mae Brown on June 14, 1947 in Karnak.  Together they shared forty six wonderful years of marriage until her death on February 1, 1994.  Cleatus attended Karnak Public Schools until he joined the Marine Corps on March 17, 1944.  He was a WWII Veteran having participated in the Okinawa Campaign and Occupation of Yokosuka, Japan as a member of VMF 224 during World War II.  He was honorably discharged on March 29, 1946.

Cleatus retired from Allied-Signal in Metropolis in 1988, he had also worked over twenty years at the Main Brothers Box and Lumber Company in Karnak.  Cleatus was an avid gardener and he was of the Protestant faith.

Cleatus is survived by one son and his family, Sam (Debbie) Riley, Whitney and Ryleigh of Vienna.  Also, a dear friend for sixteen years, Joyce Vinson of Vienna, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenna Mae Brown Riley; his parents, Arvel Chester and Dollie Gertrude (Harner) Riley; and a very very special sister, Eunice Corzine.

Funeral services for Mr. Cleatus Riley will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak with Rev. Lonnie Adams officiating.  Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Cypress.  Full Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Marine Corp Funeral Detail Team and by the Beggs Gurley American Legion Post #5222. Visitation will be Thursday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour of 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  To share a memory or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com