Shirley Ann Riley

Shirley Riley, 77, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville on Thursday, February 18, 2016. She had been in declining health for a couple of years.

Shirley Ann Rennells was born in Unionville, MO, on August 13, 1938, the daughter of Loran Francis and Isa Mae (Hill) Rennells who preceded her in death. She was reared in Unionville and graduated from Unionville High School in 1956. Shirley was married to Richard Riley in Unionville, MO, on August 9, 1957, and he survives at home. After living briefly in Cedar Rapids, IA, Shirley and Richard returned to Putnam County where they raised their five children.

Shirley was active in the business and social community of Unionville. She owned her own clothing business as well as working at Feldman’s Clothing and Gretchen’s Clothing. She also worked in the family business at AppleSeeds. She was active as a 4-H leader, in BPW, with the Unionville Lady Golfers, and served as a PTA Carnival Chairman. Shirley’s greatest joy was found in her close knit family. She enjoyed helping her grandchildren with 4-H projects and posters. She never missed an event involving her children and grandchildren including splitting her time among 8 grandchildren on Grandparent’s day. One of her last trips was traveling to Hawaii with some of her kids and grandkids. Shirley also loved life on the farm that she and Richard kept east of Unionville. Shirley had a spirited and competitive personality. She also had a frank and honest demeanor that made her all the more endearing to those who loved her.

In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by her five children: Curtis (Sheryl) Riley, Eric (Tonda) Riley, Barb (Tim) Hodges, Paul Riley, and Lisa Newman, all of Unionville, MO. Her grandchildren are Jeremy Riley, Ariane Casady, Angela Riley, Brianna Stamm, Sarah Riley, Jaclyn Billington, Kyle Hodges, Lisa Stobbe, Joseph Riley, Emily Riley, Justin Riley, Elizabeth Newman, Mattie Newman, and Heather Newman. Shirley’s great grandchildren are Shelby Riley, Anna Kate Riley, Audrey Riley, Logan Riley, Abbie Casady, Calin Casady, and Savanah Stobbe. Shirley is also survived by a brother, Kenneth (Mary) Rennells of Unionville, MO, and a sister-in-law, Mary Rennells of the state of California. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive including Judy Johnson and Gordon Wilson.

Shirley was preceded in death by a great grandson, Ezra James Stamm, brothers James Rennells, Leo Rennells, Loyd Rennells, and Junior Rennells and by sisters Virginia Wilson, Evelyn Rennells, and Genevieve Parson.

Funeral services for Shirley Riley will be held at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 11:00 AM the same day as the funeral. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Memorial Hospital Nurses Fund and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.