Johnathan Keith Riley
Lansing, Michigan.
Born January 2, 1956 in Lansing, Michigan son of Leo and Alice (Sheldon) Riley passed away following a long, courageous battle with cancer on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the age of 68.
Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Carolyn Riley; their four children, Joshua (Casey) Riley, Johnathan Riley, Joseph Riley, and Elizabeth (Colson) Lutz; his mother, Alice Rick; seven siblings, Robert (Michele) Riley, Thomas (Rosanna) Riley, Alex (Janet) Riley, Henry (Pat) Riley, Doug Riley, Edith Enahoro, and Barbara (John) DeCaire along with many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
Keith was preceded in death by his father, Leo Riley; brothers, Donald and George Riley, and his sister, Cecelia Orchard.
Keith was born and raised in Lansing. On his 17th birthday he enlisted in the military and served in the U.S. Army – 82nd Airborne Division. He was a longtime, active member of South Church where he served as a greeter, a deacon, and was active with the Helping Hands Ministry. He really enjoyed helping others.
Keith retired from Meijer following 23 years of service.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr. in Lansing. Interment will take place at East Lawn Memory Gardens in Okemos.
Keith’s family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions, in Keith’s memory, to the Lansing City Rescue Mission.
8 Messages to “Johnathan Keith Riley”
Print MessagesPlease Sign The Guestbook
Catherine Mohr
August 31, 2024 at 8:21 pmI will miss him. He held on for a long time. Now he can rest in the arms of the lord.
Lori
September 2, 2024 at 11:55 amKeith was one of the kindest man I’ve ever known in my lifetime. I have memories of him coming to my childhood home with family and having fun playing games in the yard. He always made time to stop and visit with my parents in their elderly years. He will always be remembered as a genuine, loving man. I am proud to call him my cousin. Rest in peace! Condolences to his wife, Carolyn and their children.
matthew austin
September 2, 2024 at 8:09 pmI met Keith when he and Carolyn were courting. Very nice man . I remember him taking the time to visit me in Ann Arbor At UofM after my cancer surgery. Probably one of the most memorable people that visited , he cared and asked if I would mind if he prayed with me that day , he was the clergy that day . Always respected him for who he was and how he lived out his life. Always an encouraging person, he will be missed .
Robin Ross
September 3, 2024 at 11:23 amWhat an inspiration Keith was to those who were blessed to cross paths with him. He fought his cancer battle long and hard with the support of his beautiful wife Carolyn and his family.
Our sincerest condolences Riley Family,
Kevin and Robin Ross
Veronica Nash
September 3, 2024 at 7:02 pmMy sincere condolences to the entire family. I knew Elizabeth the best because she was in my Sunday School class at South when I taught 4th grade. She was a great helper and I got to know her parents through Elizabeth. Mr. Riley- Keith- will be missed by family and friends, but our dear Lord knew in his wisdom it was time to call him home. Mrs. Nash
Julie Howard
September 3, 2024 at 9:39 pmI’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May God wrap his loving arms around you and bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Dave Korman
September 4, 2024 at 8:48 amSorry to hear about Keith’s passing. We had been neighbors for over 40 years. Keith and his family were the greatest neighbors anyone could have!
Dan and Kathy Bratt
September 4, 2024 at 11:35 amKeith (and Carolyn) displayed grace in suffering. You have been an inspiration and an example to us all of patience, perseverance, gratitude and joyful acceptance of God’s hard Providences. May the words of this hymn bring God’s comfort to your hearts:
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to thy God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
to guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice, who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the veil of tears,
then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.