DEACON HERBERT ANDREW RILEY

Deacon Herbert Andrew Riley, 89, of Biwabik died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at the Northern Pines Medical Center in Aurora.

He was born April 2, 1922 in Biwabik, Minn., to Nicholas and Mary (Glasser) Riley.

Herb was a 1940 graduate of Biwabik High School and later enlisted with the U.S. Air Force in 1942. Following World War II, he was employed by Republic Aircraft as a technical representative to the Yugoslavian Air Force in Belgrade. He re-enlisted with the Air Force and served for 25 years during the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. During this time he was selected as a member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and traveled throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

Following his military service he returned to Biwabik and went to work at Erie Mining Company. He was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church in 1981 and served in parishes in Biwabik, Eveleth and Virginia. He retired as a Deacon in 2007.

Herb was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. John's Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Glass, Lucille Talus, Kathryn Racek and Frances Riley; brothers, Thomas and Joseph.

Survivors include his sister, Colleen Klessig of Biwabik; brothers, Bernard Riley of Longview, Wash., and Nicholas (Ann) Riley of Wickenburg, Ariz.; many nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL MASS: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 in St. John's Catholic Church in Biwabik. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3 p.m. with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. in Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Visitation will also continue for one hour prior to the Mass in the church. Burial with Military honors by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be at the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik. Memorials are preferred.

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