Arthur R. (Art) Riley

Arthur R. (Art) Riley, 90 year old prominent Moberly businessman, 
founder of Art's Appliance & Furniture, died Saturday, October 22, 2005 
at Boone County hospital, Columbia, of congestive heart failure.  He 
had been in good health up until the past three days despite heart 
surgery in 1992.  Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, 
October 25, at Cuter Funeral Home, Moberly, with Pastor Jim Walker of 
Central Christian Church officiating.  Burial with full military rites 
will be in Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 7 
p.m. at Cuter Funeral Home Chapel.  The family suggests memorials in 
lieu of flowers to Randolph County Relay for Life.

Art was born in Madison on May 10, 1915 to James A. and Flossie M. 
(Davis) Riley.  On September 4, 1939 in Madison he married the former 
June Freelin of Moberly who preceded him in death on August 26, 1939.  
He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Jessie Marie Riley.  
Survivors include four children: Bob Riley and wife, Barbara, Jamie 
Riley, Jack Riley and wife Joyce, and Mike Riley and wife Mary, all of 
Moberly; four grandchildren: Bob Riley, Jr and wife Stefanie, Alan 
Riley and wife Mercedes, Beth and husband Travis Bailey and Chrissy 
Riley; great-grandchildren: Trae Riley, A.J. Riley and Madeline Riley; 
sister, Betty McCreery of Moberly; sister and brother-in-law, Lillian 
and Richard Sallies, Moberly; brother-in-law, Alice Freelin of the 
state of Virginia and Normal Freelin of the state of Washington; 
several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Art began his 60 year old career in the appliance business on September 
16, 1945 selling appliances out of the pool hall he operated in his 
grandfather's building in downtown Madison.  It was the day he returned 
home from serving his country in the European Theater of Operations 
during World War II.  He had operated the pool hall since his marriage 
to Jane in 1939.  Art had been an A-5 Waist Gunner and Radio operator 
on the B-24 "Liberator," flying 30 plus missions over Germany.  He 
received his honorable discharge in September 1945; with the rank of 
Staff Sergeant, along with the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Oak 
Clusters, two Presidential Citations and a Certificate of Valor.

As his business grew, he purchased other property on Broadway street in 
Madison and built a building for appliances as well as a 10-unit motel 
and operated a Mobil service station.  In 1954 he sold those businesses 
to concentrate primarily on appliances and moved to downtown Madison.  
In 1963 he made a deal with George Pitts who owned Radio Appliance at 
535 West Road street in downtown Moberly, and began his business 
operations in Moberly.  George has remained a business partner.  In 
1968 Art purchased land for the current site on Highway 24 West.  The 
business today is owned by his four children, but Art remained a 
familiar and welcoming presence to both the owners and customers.  He 
was recognized locally for his business accomplishments receiving the 
Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award and 
induction into the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce hall of Fame.  Art 
was a member of Central Christian Church; a member and past President 
of the Moberly Rotary Club, and served as grand marshal of the 2004 
Moberly Christmas parade.  He will serve posthumously as the parade 
marshal for the 2005 Veterans' parade in downtown Moberly. 

Submitted by Don Duvall.