Harvey Oriley

Interment at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Peaceful Passage Hospice House, Creston VFW or Williamson American Legion.
Harvey R. ORiley, was born June 13, 1920 in Cromwell, Iowa to Harry and Flo (McGregor) ORiley. He was educated in the Prescott school system and graduated from Prescott High School in May 1939. Harvey joined the Army in 1942, serving overseas in World War II. He was honorably discharged December 30, 1945.
On February 16, 1947 he married Roberta Jean Kepner at the First United Methodist Church in Creston, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Mark, Marsha, Mike, and Mary. In 1947-48, Harvey co-owned hay baling and tiling operations with the Brown Brothers in the Lenox area; and farmed in the Corning and Lenox areas until the family moved to a farm in Spaulding Township, Union County in 1954, raising crops and livestock. He drove a school bus for the Orient-Macksburg and the Creston school districts. Harvey and Roberta retired from the family farm in September 1989 and moved into Creston.
During his farming career, Harvey served on the Union County Extension Council and served on the ASCS central committee for several years. Harvey was a life member of the VFW and American Legion, member of the First United Methodist Church in Creston; Meet Your Neighbors or “MYN” Club, was a 4-H Leader and served on the Union County Fair Board. He was active in the Lions Club and playing cards at the Congregate Meal Site in Creston. He was known for his talkative manner and his love for the land.
Harvey entered Crest Haven Care Center in September 2006 due to declining health. He died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Iowa at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 22 days.
Harvey was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta, on April 11, 2002; his parents; his step-mother Alma Kepner ORiley; brother, Max in 1990 and brother Richard in infancy; sisters Doris in infancy, Melba “Pat” George in 1998 and Maxine “Micki” Miller in January 2007; and granddaughter, Misty West in 2000.
Survivors include his sons Mark (wife Mary) ORiley of Creston, and Mike (wife Chris) ORiley of Ankeny; daughters Marsha (husband Roy) Parsons of Creston and Mary (husband Guy) Lowrey of Anita; 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; Brother, Robert “Bob” (wife Laura) ORiley, Golden, Colorado; Sisters, Sally (husband Al) Spindle, Longmont, Colorado, and Joan (husband Dean) Williamson, Longmont, Colorado.