Daniel Riley
June 28, 1992 — June 18, 2018
Daniel Coy Emerson Riley (Danny) came screaming into our world on June 28, 1992 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. From that day forward, Danny brought us more happiness than we could have ever imagined would fit in just one little boy. He was a great son and a wonderful big brother to his two little sisters. Danny's laugh was infectious and all his friends would agree. He was rarely ever mad, though if you ask his sisters they may have a different viewpoint.
He was a member of St. Michael's Parish, attended St. Michael's Catholic School and moved on to the Harlan Community School district where he was a member of the graduating class of 2010. While a sophomore in high school, Danny began working part-time for Pizza Ranch in Harlan. This was the perfect opportunity for Danny as he met his mentor, boss, and best friend, James Buwalda. Both James and Danny had big hearts and enjoyed working with special needs employees through their years at Pizza Ranch. Danny went on to Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he studied Spanish. While working toward his degree, Danny continued working full-time at Pizza Ranch. After a few years, he was offered a position at Farm Service Coop as a seed salesman. A short time later, he was offered a full-time position as Assistant General Manager and became known as "Dan Dan the Pizza Man" and "Old Man Dan". His sarcastic and cynical sense of humor always kept his friends, family, coworkers and customers laughing. He was very quick witted and always had a great come back. He loved music and life and never took it too seriously. He also shared another thing in common with James in their passion for stock car racing.
One of the main reasons for Brian and Barbara to move their family from the suburbs of Chicago to the countryside outside of Harlan was to enjoy all that rural life offered for their kids. Danny loved hunting, fishing and even being able to start a fire with his friends with leaves, sticks and a Fresnel lens to cook hotdogs in the driveway. Danny loved Harlan, and didn't want to leave, but when asked where he was from, he would always respond, Chicago!
In January of 2018, Danny was hospitalized at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, with severe seizures and after several weeks of tests was treated for what neurologists thought was autoimmune encephalopathy. It is here where he died after several months of treatments having attained the age of twenty-five years, eleven months and twenty-one days.
He was preceded in death by Grandparents, Patricia and Joseph Kivland, Joanne Riley, and Amos Riley; his aunt, Dianne Ree; and close friends, Jayne Weingart, James Buwalda, and Mike Gifford.
He is survived by his parents, Brian and Barbara Riley of Harlan; his sisters: Shannon Riley of St. Petersburg, Florida and Abigail Riley of Nashville, Tennessee; Fur babies, Zoe and Ruger; his aunts, uncles, and cousins: Julie and Joe Singer (Peggy, Maureen, Colleen, Joanna, and Krissy), Mary Jo and Darryl Stevens (Jeffrey, Joseph, and Jack), Kathie and Craig Palminteri (Dana, Jimmy, Amy, and Matt) Lisa Kivland, Paula Kivland, Tom and Liz Kivland (Emily and Lauren), Mark and Cathy Sharp and many friends.
In lieu of flowers family suggest memorial be made to Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance www.aealliance.org
He was a member of St. Michael's Parish, attended St. Michael's Catholic School and moved on to the Harlan Community School district where he was a member of the graduating class of 2010. While a sophomore in high school, Danny began working part-time for Pizza Ranch in Harlan. This was the perfect opportunity for Danny as he met his mentor, boss, and best friend, James Buwalda. Both James and Danny had big hearts and enjoyed working with special needs employees through their years at Pizza Ranch. Danny went on to Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he studied Spanish. While working toward his degree, Danny continued working full-time at Pizza Ranch. After a few years, he was offered a position at Farm Service Coop as a seed salesman. A short time later, he was offered a full-time position as Assistant General Manager and became known as "Dan Dan the Pizza Man" and "Old Man Dan". His sarcastic and cynical sense of humor always kept his friends, family, coworkers and customers laughing. He was very quick witted and always had a great come back. He loved music and life and never took it too seriously. He also shared another thing in common with James in their passion for stock car racing.
One of the main reasons for Brian and Barbara to move their family from the suburbs of Chicago to the countryside outside of Harlan was to enjoy all that rural life offered for their kids. Danny loved hunting, fishing and even being able to start a fire with his friends with leaves, sticks and a Fresnel lens to cook hotdogs in the driveway. Danny loved Harlan, and didn't want to leave, but when asked where he was from, he would always respond, Chicago!
In January of 2018, Danny was hospitalized at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, with severe seizures and after several weeks of tests was treated for what neurologists thought was autoimmune encephalopathy. It is here where he died after several months of treatments having attained the age of twenty-five years, eleven months and twenty-one days.
He was preceded in death by Grandparents, Patricia and Joseph Kivland, Joanne Riley, and Amos Riley; his aunt, Dianne Ree; and close friends, Jayne Weingart, James Buwalda, and Mike Gifford.
He is survived by his parents, Brian and Barbara Riley of Harlan; his sisters: Shannon Riley of St. Petersburg, Florida and Abigail Riley of Nashville, Tennessee; Fur babies, Zoe and Ruger; his aunts, uncles, and cousins: Julie and Joe Singer (Peggy, Maureen, Colleen, Joanna, and Krissy), Mary Jo and Darryl Stevens (Jeffrey, Joseph, and Jack), Kathie and Craig Palminteri (Dana, Jimmy, Amy, and Matt) Lisa Kivland, Paula Kivland, Tom and Liz Kivland (Emily and Lauren), Mark and Cathy Sharp and many friends.
In lieu of flowers family suggest memorial be made to Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance www.aealliance.org
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