Eugene “Gene” Arthur O’Riley, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on June 13, 2020, at home. He was born to Joseph & Dorthy (Frazee) O’Riley on January 22, 1940 at home. His passions were hunting, fishing, trapping; his granddaughters, great granddaughter & great grandson. They were the love of his life.
He was proficient at making fishing poles. He made each of his granddaughters their own with their names on them. Arthritis took a toll on his hands & he had to stop.
He met the love of his life, Carol Kiefer, of Hartford and they were married on June 6, 1959 at The Methodist Church in Watervliet.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in February, 1959. He did his basic training at Lackland Air Base, Ohio. He worked under the base veterinarian & also in food inspection. Once his basic training was completed, Gene was sent to Montgomery, Alabama & was there for three months. Then he was transferred to Columbus, Ohio. He was honorably discharged on February 4, 1965 & returned to Watervliet, MI.
He then started working at the Auto Specialties plant in Hartford in 1963, then he left after 27 years. He then went to Bosch in Stevensville, where he retired after 17 years, in January 2002.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol; daughter, Teresa O’Riley, Wyoming, MI; son, Jeffery O’Riley (Amy) Watervliet; granddaughters, Jennifer (Brad) Behnke, Kimberly, WI, Katie (Doug) Grosjean, Detroit, MI, Leesa O’Riley, Watervliet; great-granddaughter, Kenzi Behnke; great-grandson, Phoenix Grosjean; nieces, Connie Pyferoen, AZ, Debbie (Darren) Smith, Warren, MI, and Tim O’Riley, AZ, several cousins, nieces & nephews.
Preceding him in death were son, Michael, brother, Ronald, parents & grandparents.
Memorials may be made in his honor to Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, MI, 49085
Cremation has taken place and there will be a graveside service, Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. at Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford, MI.
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