Larry Lee Riley 78, of Ashland, passed away Thursday morning, April 19, 2018 at Ohio Health MedCentral Hospital in Mansfield.
Larry was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio on June 8, 1939 the son of Hervie and Lenore (Miller) Riley. He graduated from Danville High School in 1957 and attend the Ohio State University in Columbus. He resided in Knox County before moving to Ontario and eventually settling in Ashland.
He had worked for the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in Mansfield, Ohio for 39 years where he worked in sales and then management. He was also the Co-Owner and Operator of Windward Hill Orchard in Ashland.
He was a devoted member of the Paradise Hill United Methodist Church where he spent many hours doing volunteer work at the church. While living in Ontario he was a member of the Ontario United Methodist Church and was head of the Usher staff.
He was a member of the Ontario Lions Club where he served as “Tail Twister”. He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America serving as a Scout Master, a member of the jamboree Staff, attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree and had been honored with the District Award of Merit and scouting’s highest award, The Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Ashland County Yesteryear Machinery Club and served as the club’s announcer and was a member of the Grotto in Mansfield.
On June 3, 1960 he was married to Mahala Mae Davis who survives him. He is also survived by two sons, Dwain K. (Sonya) Riley of Ashland and their children, Kenneth G. (Emily) Riley and Michael R. Riley; Larry “Trent” (Marta) Riley of Murfreesboro, TN. And their children, Mason T. Riley, Wesley A. Riley, Rebekkah M. Riley, Jessikah D. Riley and Margaret “Maggie” Riley; one sister Pat Durbin of Danville and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, John Durbin.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Paradise Hill United Methodist Church with Pastor Layton Broome officiating. Burial will be in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Friends may call Monday, April 23, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home 313 Center St. Ashland, Ohio. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Paradise Hill United Methodist Church, 1491 St. Rt. 603 Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those not able to attend, online expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting denbowfh.com
Larry’s pride and joy were his sons, Dwain and Trent, spending his spare time during the years involved in their activities. Dwain’s success in track, student body, summer baseball, band and boy scouts. Trent’s success in cross country, basketball, band, baseball and boy scouts. If the boys had an activity, their dad was there supporting them
When the boys married, he immediately referred the wives as daughters and when the grandchildren started arriving, he loved having them to stay at the orchard sleeping on the living room floor. If they weren’t there, the quiet was hard to take.
When he spoke of family, he was all smiles, and took great pride in each of their successes. He really liked being called “Dad”, Grandpa and Papaw.
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