Evelyn Belle Riley

Evelyn B. Riley, 97, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, April 20, 2026 at Park Place in Mt. Pleasant.

Mrs. Riley, the former Evelyn Belle Beams, was born December 19, 1928 in New London, IA. She was the daughter of Jack and Hattie (Brown) Beams. Evelyn was raised by her mother Hattie and stepfather Glen Stafford. She attended school in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School as a member of the Class of 1946. On December 24, 1946 at the Church of the Nazarene Parsonage, Evelyn was united in marriage to Virgil Riley. Mr. Riley preceded Evelyn in death on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Evelyn worked as a Dietary Aide for many years at both the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Institute and the Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institute. She had also worked making circuit boards for Emerson Electric and at the Iris City Cleaners, both in Mt. Pleasant.

While raising her sons, Evelyn was very active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, serving as a Den Mother. For her tireless efforts, Evelyn was the recipient of the Silver Fawn Award from the Cub Scouts.

Evelyn was a prolific seamstress. She sewed quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as taking on numerous other sewing projects. She enjoyed puzzles, both crossword and jigsaw – some of which she preserved as pictures to hang on the wall. She loved to tend to her flowers and feed and watch the birds. She was especially fond of the cardinals who delighted in her well stocked feeders.

Those thankful for sharing in Evelyn’s life include her 5 sons – Lynn Riley of Mt. Pleasant, Lyle Riley of Wasilla, AK, Gary (Teresa) Riley of Muscatine, Gregg (Cindy) Riley of Mt. Pleasant and Karl Riley of New London; a sister – Violet Mills of Mt. Pleasant; a brother - Wayne (Connie) Stafford; grandchildren – Bill (Holli) Scott (Tina), Jeff, Brandon (Erin) Cale, Jason (Theresa), Josh (Sandra), Mike (Tiffany), Jordan (Brooke), Amber (Mike), Kelsey (Josh) and Katie (Sean); a granddaughter-in-law, Samantha; 32 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband, three daughter-in-law – Pat, Barb and Lynn Riley; a grandson – Nick and siblings – Don Beams, Dean Stafford, Paul Stafford, Ruth Yakle, Fern Hille and Pauline Hinkle.

A funeral service to celebrate Evelyn’s life will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, April 24 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Mike Johnson of the Church of the Open Bible will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may stop by the funeral home from 12 -8 PM on Thursday at the funeral home. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on Thursday.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Relay for Life. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com