Betty Louise Riley

Betty L. Riley

Betty Louise Riley, 85, of Geneseo, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2018, at Hillcrest Home in Geneseo, IL. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel. There will be a Women of the Moose Service at 6:00 p.m. Reverend Bruce Bergthold will officiate. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held on Wednesday prior to the service from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to Hillcrest Home Activity Fund.

Betty was born on October 4, 1932, the daughter of George W. and Florence (Tannahill) DeGroot, in Canton, IL. She married Merle Riley on December 26, 1948 in Canton, IL. She worked for Ed Lambin at Lambin Jewelers in Geneseo for nearly 25 years. Betty was a member of Women of The Moose for over 45 years and was also a member the Order of Eastern Star in Lewistown, IL. She was inducted into the Geneseo Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame in 1998, an avid bowler and bingo player who also enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Betty’s favorite thing to do was spend time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Merle, Geneseo, daughters, Thelma (Alan) Wulf, Davenport, IA, and Pat (Bob) Drescher, Geneseo, daughter-in-law, Pam Riley, Geneseo, brother, Howard (Lillian) DeGroot, Jacksonville, IL, sister-in-law, Donna DeGroot, Farmington, IL, 7 grandchildren; Stacy Pontillas,  Brian (Lisa) Wulf, Gregory (Elicia) Wulf,  Heather (Rob) Henry, Brook (Marc) Dalmasso, Trevis (Kerry) Riley and Tasha (Rosendo) Meza,  13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her son, David L. Riley, brother, Russell DeGroot and her parents, George and Florence.