Herschel Riley

Private Family Service: Cremation has taken place and a private family going away celebration will be held at a later date.

Herschel Kenneth (H.K.) Riley was born January 30, 1914 in Grass Range, MT to Robert R. and Edna (Vannoy) Riley. In the Spring, the family traveled by wagon and on foot to their homestead in the Brusett area where they proved up on their claim. After the required amount of time living on their homestead, the family moved to Canada but came back to the US in 1920. He attended schools in Canada, Oregon and Montana until he was in the 8th grade. Herschel then worked various jobs such as trailing cattle, breaking horses and helping his parents with their dairy business. During the 30's, he worked at any job he could find, in the CCC Camp building roads, as a powder monkey for a dynamite crew, for the State, the County and the WPA building roads and on the construction of the Ft. Peck Dam. Herschel was united in marriage to Margaret Benson in 1935 and to that union 3 children were born, Gene, Mona and Dawn. Herschel and Margaret were later divorced. In the early 40s, Herschel worked on the airbase in Great Falls and played cards for a living in Great Falls and Mountain Home, ID. Herschel was united in marriage to Wilma Mury on April 6, 1943 and they would have celebrated their 64th anniversary in April. Two daughters were born to that union, Lyn and Kay.

Herschel was inducted into the Army in June of 1943 and he served as a Dog Trainer for the K-9 corp in the China Burma India Theatre and for the Office of Strategic Service (OSS) in top secret work. His K-9 unit served with Merrills Marauders, the Mars Task Force and various sub units for scout and reconnaissance detail in Burma. He was discharged from the service in July of 1945. Herschel then worked as a carpenters apprentice and drove tanker until 1946 when he bought Kesters trucking business in Jordan where he continued to truck until 1968. He then operated a feed business until he retired, after which time he stayed busy helping friends.

Herschel has been a resident of Garfield County all of his life and always said that he wanted nothing more than to live and die on the Big Dry.

Herschel passed away at the age of 93 on March 28, 2007. He is survived by his wife Wilma; his children, Gene Riley, Mona (Dan) Beringer, Dawn Rookhuizen, Lyn Riley and Kay (Floyd) Beecher; his grandchildren, Echo (Sam) Kampf, Craig (Sherrie) Riley, Jay Jensen, Taryl Jensen, Eric (Phuong Lynn) Jensen, Heather (Troy) Wallace, Derek Rookhuizen, Bryce (Kristin) Beecher and Charles (Kacey) Beecher; his great-grandchildren, Felicia and Tessa Kampf, Shalena and Liam Riley, Kierre Jensen, Mai Lynn and Vi Lynn Jensen, Faith Riley Wallace, Seeley Riley Beecher and a Beecher great-granddaughter due to arrive in May; his sister, Fay Ziegele, and special extended family, John D. & Mary Alice Murnion and Bev (Joe) Murnion.

Herschel was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edna Riley; his brothers, Edgar and Moyne Riley; and his great-granddaughter, Sierra Kampf.

Cremation has taken place and a private family going away celebration will be held at a later date. Condolences may be made to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com.

Herschel was a charter member of VFW White Post #7886 and received his 60 year pin in 2006. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the VFW Building Fund, the Garfield County Ambulance Fund or to the charity of one's choice. Memorial card pamphlets for Herschel may be picked up at the Garfield County Bank in Jordan.