Nellie McCanless

Nellie M. McCanless

Saturday, September 06, 2008
PAWNEE, Ill. - Phillip Dale Riley, 54, of Pawnee, formerly of Mattoon, passed away Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at his residence. He was born March 21, 1954 , i n Paducah, Ky. , thesonof Joseph P. and Pegg y J. Riley. He married Sheila Spears Sullivan in 1984, in Springfield. He was preceded in death by his father and step-father, Bob Dowell. Phillip was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran serving in the Vietnam War.
He was a neon bender for Monitor Sign Service in Mattoon. He was a member of Pawnee Christian Church, Broadway Christian Church and Worship Team in Mattoon. He was a musician with the Shooter Band in Springfield and with The Wanderers and American Tribute Band of Mattoon. He was a self taught guitarist and also taught his son to play the guitar.
He loved to fish, especially with his son, "Lil Phil", his two sons-inlaw, Shawn and Bryan, and his grandkids. He is survived by his wife, Sheila; children, Cara (husband, Shawn) Burnley of Pawnee, Jill (husband, Bryan) Cornell of Mattoon, Phillip D. Riley II (companion, Sarah Cox) of Bellflower, Calif., Eric (wife, Laurie) Culbreth of Texas, Crystal Riley and Amber Riley; mother, Peggy Dowell of Paducah, Ky.; grandchildren, Mason Burnley, Tucker Burnley, Gavin Cornell, Kynley Cornell and Rhemee Murphy; brothers, Noel, Robert and Bobby; sisters, Theresa, Penny and Sherry; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial gathering was held from 5 until the time of the memorial service at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at Broadway Christian Church in Mattoon, with Pastors Greg Sexton and Scott Yates officiating. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Sept. 6, 2008, at Bethel Cemetery in Mattoon. Memorial contributions may be made to Pawnee Christian Church or Broadway Christian Church.
Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home, Springfield, Ill. is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Phillip's life story at www.vancilmurphy. com to offer your condolences.