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Eleanor May (Steele) Riley

Eleanor May (Steele) Riley passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the age of 100, at the Hamilton County ISB, in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born on May 21, 1921 in Elkhart, Kansas the daughter of Jesse Earl Steele and Edna (Graham) Steele.

Eleanor began her life in Elkhart, attended Elkhart schools, and graduated in 1939. Soon after graduation she met Woodrow Wilson Riley. They married on March 1, 1941, in Liberal KS. Following her husband’s discharge from the Navy in the mid 1940’s, the family moved to Syracuse where they made their home and farmed in Hamilton County. To this union three children were born, Michael, Patrick, and Phillip. She was a homemaker her entire life and enjoyed living in Syracuse and being involved with the farming operation and all of her sons’ activities. In June 2015, she moved to the Hamilton County ISB and resided there until her passing.

Eleanor was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, VFW Women’s Auxiliary, and the Ladies Golf Association. She enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling, crocheting, needlework, and adult pencil coloring. She was a faithful Bridge Club member, and was active in the Sequoia Dance Club. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren and family, especially during the Christmas holidays. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Earl Steele, her mother, Edna (Graham) Steele, her husband, Woodrow Wilson Riley, her brother, Merton Steele, five sisters - Jean Williams, Nancy Mobray, Jenni Gamble, Mary White, Ina Horner, and one Granddaughter, Erica Schulz.

She is survived by three sons - Michael Riley of Amarillo, TX, Patrick (& wife Harriet) Riley of Syracuse, KS, Phil (& wife Beth) Riley of Syracuse, KS, eight grandchildren: Terri (& husband Ken) Overbay of Colorado Springs, CO, Te (& wife Karin) Riley of Hilton Head, SC, Trent Riley of Hilton Head, SC, Megan (& husband Casey) Lynch of Olathe, KS, Erin Anderson of Olathe, KS, Jesse (& wife Nicole) Riley of Lawrence, KS, Jeff (& wife Melody) Schulz of Syracuse, KS, Rob Schulz of Scott City, KS, 18 Great Grandchildren. And numerous family members and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 10:30 AM (MDT) at the First Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, KS, burial will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, KS.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (MDT) at Fellers Funeral Home LLC, Syracuse.

In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the First Presbyterian Church, and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100

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