- Funeral Celebration of Life Services for Brad Riley, age 69, of Sharpsburg, who passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022 at his home in Sharpsburg. Services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the Lenox Community Center. Visitation will be held at the community center on Friday from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Cremation will follow the services with interment of ashes at a later date. Memorials may be given in his name for a scholarship to be established for students interested in vocational training. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford where we 'Celebrate Life'.
Bradley Wayne Riley was born October 27, 1952, in Sedalia, Missouri the son of William Ray Riley and Laura Mae (Boss) Riley. He grew up in the east bottoms of Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from De La Salle Academy for Boys in the Class of 1970. During his senior year, his football team won the State Championship, one of the proudest moments of his life. After graduation he went on to attend Whitewater University in Whitewater, Wisconsin for one year on a football scholarship. He then transferred to Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. During his time at Warrensburg, he played football as an offensive lineman and center for the Central Missouri State Mules. On August 19, 1972, he was united in marriage to Martha Hartnett, and she joined him in attending CMSU. After college graduation, the couple moved to Kansas City for two years until moving to Creston in 1977. They were blessed with the birth of three children, Megan, Colin and Jacob. Martha taught at St. Malachy?s school for two years, then became a special educator at the Lenox Community School. In 1984, they purchased a log home in the Sharpsburg, IA area. He started helping Nick Evans in his farm operation, and Nick was a true mentor to Brad. Eventually, Brad began to farm on his own sharing equipment and farming duties with Jim Hartman. He also did custom small square baling, and many local high school young men loved helping, not only for the paycheck but for the summer workout program.
Brad worked for Green Valley Area Education Agency for 23 years as a Work Experience Coordinator. He then worked for Bedford Building Supply, and in 2004 he started B & B Home Improvement with his son-in-law, Brady. Later his sons Jacob and Colin joined the business. He loved working, building and creating many things. The couple enjoyed going to the casino together. He was a die-hard Kansas City Chief's fan and cried like a baby when they won their second Super Bowl after 50 years. In the warmer months, he always looked forward to meticulously mowing and trimming his two acres of yard and enjoying a cold beverage on his deck after a day of hard work. He loved his grandchildren and was always so proud of them.
Left to cherish the memories of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend is his loving wife of just short of 50 years, Martha Riley of Sharpsburg, Iowa; his children, Megan Weaver and husband Brady; Colin Riley and wife Lisa of Lenox, Iowa; and Jacob Riley and fiancé Meg Tyrrell of Ankeny, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Rylan, Jocelyn, Alexia, Alyssa, Mary, Harper, Michael, Ryker and Wyatt; a sister, Carla Brewer of Kansas City, Missouri; and his beloved dog, Lucy; along with many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Brad in death are his parents William and Laura Riley; a brother-in-law, Perry Scheuerman; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
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1952 - 2022 (69 years)
