Michael J. Riley, 66, Munster, died May 29 at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence of Hospice of the Calumet Area. The residence is named for Mike’s father. Calling will be at 9:30 a.m. June 7 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Mike was a graduate of St.Continue Reading
Michael J. Riley, 66, Munster, died May 29 at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence of Hospice of the Calumet Area. The residence is named for Mike’s father. Calling will be at 9:30 a.m. June 7 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Mike was a graduate of St. Thomas More School, LaLumiere School in LaPorte, Ind. and Regis University at Denver. He also held an associates degree from Holy Cross College in South Bend. At Regis, Mike became the campus representative for Anheuser-Busch and upon graduation in 1982 he went to work for the brewer. He worked at distributorships in Kentucky and Chicago. Mike also worked at Calumet Breweries in Hammond. He later owned a Marathon station in Munster and recently had been an independent contractor.. Tall, burly and fair-haired, Mike’s gregarious nature, along with his stories and jokes, bound him to his family and friends. His size helped make Mike a ferocious defensive lineman in high school and a determined shot putter. Survivors include his wife, Louise Riley, children, Linda Riley and Michael Riley Jr., and a sister Kathy Riley. He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Charlotte R. Riley, and his brothers, William J. Riley, Charles H. Riley and Robert. J. Riley. In lieu of flowers, contributions to to Hospice of the Calumet Area in his memory would be appreciated.
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6 trees were planted in memory of Michael Riley 
Paul and Ruhiyyih Boege
left a message on June 3, 2025:
"Michael J. Riley" will remain in our hearts forever. God Bless "the Big man"
Joann M Wleklinski
left a message on June 5, 2025:
I was so sad to hear of Mike's passing. I am even more sad that I won't be able to attend the services. We will be out of town that day.
I extend here my heartfelt condolences to all the Riley, Leyden, and Boege families on the passing of Mike. He was a great guy from a great family. (And, to my eye, looked so much like his father it was simply eerie.)
Familiar family names from the childhood neighborhood move on and fade away...
Good night, sweet prince.
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Joey Stanford
left a message on June 3, 2025:
My heartfelt condolences to you all especially Michael.
Aly
left a message on June 2, 2025:
I am so sorry to hear about this. Michael's son is my bestfriend from childhood and I cherish me and his friendship very much. This is so sad to hear and breaks my heart to see him go through it.
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My heart goes out to you and your family..
Please know that I'm here for you, and if there's anything I can do to support you, don't hesitate to reach out. You're not alone in your grief, I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and sending all my love. Biggest of hugs man. Keep your head up and press forward. Don't be sad cause he was taken from us but remember him in good memories and cherish the time we were given. I know it is easier to say than do believe me. Don't let yourself forget because it hurts, remember the good memories and keep them alive in spirit and our hearts/lives. What I do may not work for you and those who are going through this but with loss I say live life to the fullest so that those who can't can through our eyes.
Michael jr is my best friend, might as well call him my brother from when we were kids. He has grown up to be a strong successful man. I am very proud of him as I am sure you were. This is hard and I don't think it will get easier. It never does.
Take care of yourself brother and your family, and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers always. May he look over us above and fly high.
With love and the deepest of condolences,
-the most heartfelt of me ~alycat
The Amsted Rail Human Resources Team
left a message on June 2, 2025:
Linda,our deepest heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your father. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Michael Riley by The Amsted Rail Human Resources Team. Send Flowers
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Paul Duggan
left a message on June 2, 2025:
Lucky enough to have attended LaLumiere with Mike. A funny, kind, joyful man that loved to laugh. Just a great sense of humor. Sorry I didn't see him more often.
jeries.eadeh@gmail.com
left a message on June 2, 2025:
You are in my thoughts.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Michael Riley . Plant a Tree
Joseph Leyden
left a message on June 2, 2025:
My thoughts and prayers are with you Louise, Mike and Linda. Hoping for peace and comfort. He was a person we kids all looked forward to seeing at the lake or nana and gramps especially around holidays. He lit up the room and always had a big smile greeting us kids.
When I think of Mike I will always remember the laughter between him my dad and brothers. They all enjoyed being so close and the stories they told together kept us up to speed on the family history, the region, nwi news and all their fun growing up together.
When you think of Mike have a laugh and tell a story. May he rest now and shine in heaven forever.
Joseph Leyden
left a message on June 2, 2025:
My thoughts and prayers are with you Louise, Mike and Linda. Hoping for peace and comfort. May the big man rest in peace. He was a person we kids all looked forward to seeing at the lake or nana and gramps especially around holidays.
Mike told great stories and was a joy to be around. May he rest in peace and shine in heaven forever. God bless the Riley’s.
Fred (Platforms.sh)
left a message on June 1, 2025:
In memory of Michael.All our thoughts are with you for the loss of your dad, Michael.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Michael Riley . Plant a Tree
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Paul and Ruhiyyih Boege
left a message on June 3, 2025:
"Michael J. Riley" will remain in our hearts forever. God Bless "the Big man"
Joann M Wleklinski
left a message on June 5, 2025:
I was so sad to hear of Mike's passing. I am even more sad that I won't be able to attend the services. We will be out of town that day.
I extend here my heartfelt condolences to all the Riley, Leyden, and Boege families on the passing of Mike. He was a great guy from a great family. (And, to my eye, looked so much like his father it was simply eerie.)
Familiar family names from the childhood neighborhood move on and fade away...
Good night, sweet prince.
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Joey Stanford
left a message on June 3, 2025:
My heartfelt condolences to you all especially Michael.
Aly
left a message on June 2, 2025:
I am so sorry to hear about this. Michael's son is my bestfriend from childhood and I cherish me and his friendship very much. This is so sad to hear and breaks my heart to see him go through it.
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My heart goes out to you and your family..
Please know that I'm here for you, and if there's anything I can do to support you, don't hesitate to reach out. You're not alone in your grief, I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and sending all my love. Biggest of hugs man. Keep your head up and press forward. Don't be sad cause he was taken from us but remember him in good memories and cherish the time we were given. I know it is easier to say than do believe me. Don't let yourself forget because it hurts, remember the good memories and keep them alive in spirit and our hearts/lives. What I do may not work for you and those who are going through this but with loss I say live life to the fullest so that those who can't can through our eyes.
Michael jr is my best friend, might as well call him my brother from when we were kids. He has grown up to be a strong successful man. I am very proud of him as I am sure you were. This is hard and I don't think it will get easier. It never does.
Take care of yourself brother and your family, and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers always. May he look over us above and fly high.
With love and the deepest of condolences,
-the most heartfelt of me ~alycat
The Amsted Rail Human Resources Team
left a message on June 2, 2025:
Linda,our deepest heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your father. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Michael Riley by The Amsted Rail Human Resources Team. Send Flowers
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Paul Duggan
left a message on June 2, 2025:
Lucky enough to have attended LaLumiere with Mike. A funny, kind, joyful man that loved to laugh. Just a great sense of humor. Sorry I didn't see him more often.
jeries.eadeh@gmail.com
left a message on June 2, 2025:
You are in my thoughts.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Michael Riley . Plant a Tree
Joseph Leyden
left a message on June 2, 2025:
My thoughts and prayers are with you Louise, Mike and Linda. Hoping for peace and comfort. He was a person we kids all looked forward to seeing at the lake or nana and gramps especially around holidays. He lit up the room and always had a big smile greeting us kids.
When I think of Mike I will always remember the laughter between him my dad and brothers. They all enjoyed being so close and the stories they told together kept us up to speed on the family history, the region, nwi news and all their fun growing up together.
When you think of Mike have a laugh and tell a story. May he rest now and shine in heaven forever.
Joseph Leyden
left a message on June 2, 2025:
My thoughts and prayers are with you Louise, Mike and Linda. Hoping for peace and comfort. May the big man rest in peace. He was a person we kids all looked forward to seeing at the lake or nana and gramps especially around holidays.
Mike told great stories and was a joy to be around. May he rest in peace and shine in heaven forever. God bless the Riley’s.
Fred (Platforms.sh)
left a message on June 1, 2025:
In memory of Michael.All our thoughts are with you for the loss of your dad, Michael.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Michael Riley . Plant a Tree
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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