To Chris and family,
I have already wrote to you to express our saddness, but as the days go on we are still so sad about Mike's passing.  God Bless, he was such a great person and friend.

Chris, Jill and Mitch our deepest sympathy to you.  Coach Riley was such a genuine, positive, bright and caring individual.  He had a tremendous influence on me as a young coach at Lincoln College.  We are all put on this earth to help other people, and without question Coach went above and beyond that calling.  While I know it will not make your grief subside, may you find comfort that Coach impacted many peoples lives including mine.  My family and I will be praying for you guys.

What a great guy.  Mike and I were in the Montel's in HS and he was a dear friend during those years. I'm sure you know what a great guy he always has been.  I've been out of touch from him for decades, but have thought many times about the vacations his family and mine took in Wisconsin during our childhood visiting Lac Du Flambeau and seeing the Native American shows and such.  Remember him on water ski's for the first time..he was good.  God bless you all and know that he will always have a place in many hearts.

Lord, I lift up Mike's family to you. I ask that you provide them strength and comfort in this time of deep need. Their hurt and grief run so deep. I can only imagine how hard this time must be for them. I pray that you help them maintain their faith in you during this difficult time.

I know you can be our greatest shoulder, but I also ask that you remain their biggest provider. It is a time when daily life can be so burdensome. Please provide patience from others as they work through their grief. Surround them with understanding so that they can work through all the emotions this loss has triggered.  Allow those around them to help keep regular life on track where possible.

I pray these things in your holy name. Amen.

We were very fortunate to have Mike join our staff at Parkview Jr. High in Creve Coeur.  He proved to be an excellent coach and mentor to our students.  I followed him as he continued to advance locally.  ( I always knew he would 'go places').  A GOOD MAN!  I am so sorry for your loss and send my sincere condolences to his family.   Don Bockler

Dear Chris, Jill and Mitch-
May the Good Lord look over you in this time of sadness.  Mike was always the "COACH" in whatever he endeavored and his passion for everything he was involved in will be his legacy.  He will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. God Bless!

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

To Chris, Jill, Mitch, & the rest of Mike's family my deepest sympathy and condolences

The news of Mike's passing was a shock to me.  Fortunately I had a chance to catch up with Mike when he was in Peoria earlier this year for his induction into the Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.  Mike was both a friend and mentor (a common theme through all these messages).  We had some fun times playing softball together over the years both on and off the field.  We could fill a book with all those stories.  Thanks to Mike and Chris I met my wonderfull wife Janet.  It was Mike who opened the door at 11 PM on a Sunday night to celebrate the birth of my first daughter with a couple of Miller Lites.  Mike positively influenced everyone he met and I like many people am a better person for having known Mike.  Rest in peace my friend.

My dear Chris, Jill and Mitch,  

How our world will miss your spouse and dad.    

To me he was the gentle giant who knew and lived the importance of family, had an infectious smile and laugh, an incredibly kind heart and a truly good soul.  

To me, Mike was a lot like the sweet and soft Ferdinand, the bull. 

I will always be scanning the crowd at sporting events looking for my Mr. Monopoly Man who will be enjoying the competition and a good game. 
 
Eternal peace to you, my friend, and thanks for sharing a bit of you with the rest of us.

To Chris and family: I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing last week. I had not been in touch with Mike in recent years but I have never forgotten him.  I first met him when I had a chance to sub on his softball team in a weekend tournament in Bartonville. We won that tournament to qualify for a national tourney in Detroit later that summer and I was fortunate enough to keep playing with his team for years after that.  We won a lot of games but more importantly to this day I know we had more fun than any other team we ever played! A few years later Mike offered me an opportunity to return to central Illinois working for him at Lincoln College and helped me to grow into that role which has led to a career in higher ed that continues to this day.  Mike was always upbeat and positive,  and he worked hard, but he also made sure there was a lighter side and that he and his staff (and teams) had fun as well! As Curt mentioned there are a lot of great memories from those days and we will definitely not forget them!  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this most difficult time.  RIP Mike.

I worked with Mike at IVCC and he always had a booming voice and a smile that could light up a room. I love seeing these smiling photos--I hope your many happy memories will ease your pain in some way. Sending thoughts and prayers to you all in this terrible loss.

To my former co-worker Mrs. Shirley Riley,  I am deeply saddened to read this morning that your son Mike passed away.  Please know that you are in my prayers.  A day never passed at work when you weren't talking about Mike and Kathy.  I know how much you and Jack were so proud of them.

My sincere sympathies to the Mike Riley family.  It was always a pleasure to speak with Mike during his time here at Illinois Valley Community College and I enjoyed working with him on the Student-Athlete Success Committee.  I am very sorry for your loss.
Ron Groleau - Dean of Natural Sciences and Business

Chris and family,
So sorry to hear of Mike's passing.  Our hearts go out to you and your entire family on the sudden loss of Mike.  In the last few days my mind has been flooded with memories of our high school and college years.  You could not have asked for a better friend to have become of age with.  The memories are countless.  Mike was as organized as any person I have ever know.  He made lists on top of lists and had more phone numbers of people  than anyone I ever knew.  I was sorry I missed you guys when you were here for the Hall of Fame induction.  Mike was a true friend in every sense of the word.  I will always cherish the fond memories of our friendship and in my heart Mike will live forever.

Chris;  We send our prayers and condolences at this time of sudden sadness. Our thoughts go out to you, Mitch, Jill and your beautiful grandchildren. Since 1970 I've considered Mike a good friend, and I don't think I've ever known anyone with a heart as big as his. He always found the good in people. We've lost a good friend, a great mentor, and most of all a great Father/Grandfather/Husband. His goodness has touched many lives and made us all better people for knowing him. Our hearts go out to you, and we thank the Good Lord for the time he gave us with Mike.  May God Bless you all.

Mike Riley was my assistant basketball coach at Illinois Central College when he was a young man.  I was also Chairman of the Physical Education Department at that time and Mike taught a golf class for me.  After one of his classes, Mike put all the equipment, including dozens of golf balls, into his car's trunk.  He then went down a very steep road.  He noticed golf balls bouncing down the road and passing his car!  He hadn't closed the trunk.

Mike will be sorely missed by me, my wife Kathy, and our son Chris, who played for Mike and I at ICC.  Our sincerest sympathy and love to Chris, Mitch, and Jill and her sons.

Dear Chris, Jill, Marty, Andrew, Nick, Mitch, and Michelle,
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.  God bless you all and may He surround you with His strength and love.

Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me 
To be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow
Of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times 
And bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, 
To dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.

Dear Chris, 
Steve and I were so sad to hear the news of Mike's passing.  We were just in Florida the week before and wanted to look him up to say Hi but didn't get a chance.  Steve and I thought the world of Mike and the fun times we had at Lincoln College.  You and your family our in our thoughts and prayers.

So sorry for your loss,

Paula and Steve Snodgrass, Lincoln

Chris, Jill and Mitch, my heart goes out to you. Cant even begin to think of all the good times I had with Mike,playing ball with him for over 10 years. He was a loyal, dedicated, positive man. He was always the one who rallied the troops when things seemed bleak. He was forever the optimist and would do anything in his power to help his friends and his family. He is forever the salesman, pitching his ideas and driving forward in pursuit of a better life for you and his family. The years and the beers that we spent together forged a bond with those guys we played together with. He was my dear friend and a true mentor. He didn't have a selfish bone in his body, and would give you the shirt off his back. He will be remembered as one of the REAL GOOD GUYS that you could trust to be there for you in your time of need. A TRUE friend to the very end. I am so sorry I didn't get to see him when he was up here for the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Induction. RILES will be missed and I am proud to say he was my friend.

We send our prayers for your family at this time of grief.

I was sorry to hear of Mike's passing in the paper this morning. I often think fondly of the friendships and the memories that were made during the years in which I played softball with Mike and the rest of the guys. They were truly some of the best times of my life. I thought the world of Mike and was glad to call him a friend. I will keep the family in my prayers.

Chris, Jill and Mitch,
We are so saddened by the sudden loss of Mike. It had been so many years since we had seen you, but at the recent gathering in Morton, it was so easy to pick up, right where we had left off.  We cherish the memories of our Peoria days, and now realize how fortunate we were to be taken under the wing by the MIKE & MIKE duo. It truly was the best of times. Both now will live on in our hearts forever. Jill and Mitch---take care of your mom. Like your Dad, she is one special person.

Chris, Jill and Mitch - how sad that this world lost a great guy! So many great memories of Mike and all of you have been going through my mind these last several days! Mike had a way about him that will never be duplicated! I pray all the wonderful memories you each have of him will help you through the rough days ahead!

Chris Jill and Mitch, you are in my thoughts, prayers and in my heart always.

To Chris, Mitch, Jill and family: I am shocked beyond words to hear of Mike's passing. I want you to know how special your Dad was to me as a boss and friend. The memories are many and will not be forgotten! RIP Mike!!

Chris Jill and Mitch
I am saddened by the passing of Mike. I spoke with him briefly in April at our induction. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Mike was a greatHusband Father and Friend
Tim Sack

I'm still numb over hearing the news about Mike. My memories of Mike and his family are all dear to my heart and they will always be. He was always positive, energetic and fun to be with. His parents, Jack and Shirley were like family to me. I am so thankful that I was able to see Mike in Morton this year as we covered almost every highlight in our youth.
Words cannot express my sadness and loss of a wonderful friend, husband and father.

To all of Mike's family...I am speechless on finding the correct words to say. Mike was not only a great friend and mentor but a better family man. I will miss him beyond words and only hope all of you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Coach Riley.

OBITUARY

Michael William Riley

March 19, 1952 – July 22, 2014

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park

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