Charlesw Riley, Jr., 88

Charles Riley, Jr. age 88 of Sedalia died on August 11, 2015 at Fair View Nursing Home in Sedalia. He was born on January 6, 1927 in Sedalia son of Charles Francis and Birdie Ellen Renno Riley.

Charlie attended Walnut Grove School in rural Sedalia and Hughesville High School. As a young farmer Charlie, or Junior, as his family called him, began his adult life buying a farm in the rural Sedalia community of Walnut Grove where he grew up. This young farmer soon got a job in town at the Missouri State Fair in 1946 where Charlie went on to work full time with the Missouri Department Of Agriculture. In 1955 Charlie accepted the position of custodian and moved his family to the fairgrounds property. In 1965, having returned to the family farm, Charlie continued to work full time at the Missouri State Fair retiring in 1992. Following his retirement he continued to work four days a week at the fairgrounds and could be found on Monday at the Central Missouri Sales Livestock Auction in Sedalia. Beginning in 2005 Charlie volunteered at the Missouri State Fair until his health and age lead him to become a fair goer by mobility cart or wheel chair. Charlie was dissapointed that he couldn't attend the 2014 fair, but he viewed the event through his window at the Fair View Nursing Home located across the street from his beloved Missouri State Fair. Through those long years of service at the Missouri State Fair Charlie managed a small family farm with his continued passion for the cattle business.

Charles Riley, Jr. was born, lived and died a Pettis County Farmer from Sedalia, Missouri. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. Charlie supported a number of organizations committed to Missouri Agriculture. Charlie is survived by a son; Charles Michael Riley of Sedalia, two grandsons; Christopher Michael Riley and Kyle Andrew Riley both of Sedalia, a special friend Mary Evelyn Stevens of Sedalia. In addition he has three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, six nieces and two nephews. He was preceded by his wife; Dorothy L. Anderson, one son; Roy Carter Riley, two sisters; Helen Katherine Rittman and Laura Ann Tharpe, one brother Donald Roger Riley.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Ewing-Schutte-Semler Funeral Home with Rev. Ted Francis officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Marvin Shull, Don Ramey, Jr. Richard Ramey, Billy Ficken, Dennis Brown and Carl Eckles. Honorary pallbearers will be E. H. and June Flower, Anna Lee Bail, Jennifer Grabau and Edna Vollmer. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery north of Sedalia.

Memorials may be given to Dream Factory, Hopewell Baptist Church or Donor's Choice. You may leave condolences online at ewingschuttesemlerfh.com