City Hall Flag Lowered After Death Of Former Riley Drug Owner

GENEVA, IL — The flag at City Hall was lowered Monday in memory of Jim Riley, a former alderman and owner of the former Riley Drug store owner, who died Nov. 17. He was 94.

Riley, born in 1928, died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Greenfields of Geneva, according to his obituary.

After starting his career at Walgreens, Riley worked as a pharmacist and managed several stores before purchasing Wayne Drug in 1967 and later renamed it Riley Drug when the business relocated to West State Street in 1972, city officials said.

As Geneva's population grew, Riley became more involved in the community by serving on various committees, including the Planning and Parking Committee. In 1985, he was appointed Fourth Ward alderman.

Riley was awarded for his years of community service when the Geneva Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Wood Award in 1999.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St. A liturgical wake service will be held at 7:45 p.m.

Funeral prayers take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, which will proceed to St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road, for a celebration of funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva.

"The City of Geneva extends its condolences to the Riley family members for their loss," officials said in a news release.

Riley's obituary can be found on Malone Funeral Home's website.