John Riley
*CORRECTION: John Riley owned The Peppermill restaurant, which is now the location for The Brick, which is owned by Judy McKinney and Carma Martin. A previous version of this obituary incorrectly listed the name of Riley's restaurant and who owns the current restaurant at that location.
John Victor Riley of Moberly died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. He was 70.
Mr. Riley was born Dec. 19, 1940, to Myron and Birdie Riley in Huntsville.
*Mr. Riley was a restaurateur who owned The Peppermill, which is now the location of The Brick, in Moberly for 17 years. Judy McKinney and Carma Martin, co-owners of The Brick, were employed by Mr. Riley in the 1980s. It was the only fine-dining restaurant during the 1980s in Moberly, Joni Mast, an employee, said.
"He could make anybody laugh," McKinney said. "People would come in just to see him."
Mr. Riley is survived by his two younger brothers, James Gordon and wife Priscilla Riley and Floyd Earl and wife Becky Riley; one son, Christopher and wife Kimberly; two daughters, Elizabeth and husband Jason McClary and Stephanie Riley and her fiance Ryan Williams; and six grandchildren, Jasmin, Izabel, Logan, Briana, Tyson and Ella.
Memorial services will be held Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Brick restaurant, 107 North Williams St. in Moberly. His family also invites people to celebrate his life and share their memories of his unique and beloved character.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Stroke Association at 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674, in honor of John Victor Riley.
Online condolences may be left for the family at parkerfuneralservice.com.
