Edward R. Riley “Gramps” was born Aug. 22, 1944, in Harvard, Illinois, to James and Lucille (Bailey) Riley.
He passed away on Aug. 21, 2022, at Aurora Summit Hospital in Oconomowoc. Born into a rural homestead outside of Harvard, Illinois, Ed left the family farm and enlisted in the Army after graduating high school. After four years of service, including a tour in Vietnam, he returned to the area where he worked as a baker at Swiss Maid Bakery in Harvard for nearly 30 years.
Ed was an avid follower of sports, especially Chicago teams. He was a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan. He had encyclopedic memory for sports data and could talk endlessly with authority about any game. With his in-depth knowledge, down to every minute stat, he could detail a team’s history going back to its inception.
Maybe the only thing that he loved more than keeping up to date with Chicago sports was spending time with his grandkids. They all referred to him affectionately as “gramps” and he always brought delicious donuts with him to every visit.
His stereo at home also had a nickname; it was called the “Elvis player.” You can guess what were the only CDs and cassettes that ever made it in on the device. He loved the ‘Rock n Roll’ music of his youth and Elvis was by far his most favorite musician. Ed enjoyed walking two to three miles a day no matter the weather. He was a gentle and kind soul that was always active in the church community wherever he lived. Ed was universally loved by all that were lucky enough to have known him.
Edward is survived by his loving partner, Sherry Jennings; his sons, Jamie (Elizabeth) and Shawn (Malinda); brother, James “Jimmy”; sister, Margaret “Peggy”; stepchildren, Michael Schaid and Amy Patek; 15 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathy; son, Donald and daughter, Kathy Gerard.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Toynton’s Walworth Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha St., Walworth from 4 until 5:30 p.m. when an open mic will begin to share memories.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to: Lakeland Animal Shelter Elkhorn.
