Frank Riley

Frank Riley, 94 passed away on September 9, 2013, in Tallahassee, Fla. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth Riley. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at the Bevis Funeral Home Chapel on North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. Memorial contributions may be made to Gretchen Everhart School, 2750 Mission Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32304, and Pyramid Studios of Tallahassee, 1770 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303. Frank was born in Greencastle, Ind. and attended DePauw University in Greencastle where he met Ruth Fosket of Palatine, ILL. They were married on August 29, 1942 in the Methodist Church on the DePauw campus. During World War II, Frank served in the U.S. Army, from 1942 until 1946, in France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. After the war, Frank returned to school and graduated from DePauw in 1947 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Frank and Ruth then lived in Cleveland, Ohio for 2 years, then in Orlando, Florida before moving to Tallahassee in 1952, where he had his music service business 1952 to 1986. During his music service career, he oversaw and maintained all of the pianos at FSU’s School of Music, and many of the pianos at FAMU and TCC. Frank belonged to the Tallahassee Music Teacher’s Association, and maintained the pianos of many residents, music teachers, and local and regional churches and schools. After retiring from his music service business, he worked for H & R Block Tax Service from 1987 to 1997, and he also volunteered with the American Red Cross. Frank and Ruth were charter members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, and he directed the church choir for its’ first three years. He was also a member of the Methodist Men’s Club, serving as president for one year. He was involved in many scout activities with his two sons. In addition, Frank was a strong supporter of Pyramid Studios of Tallahassee and the Leon County Special Olympics. Frank enjoyed traveling, including a Caribbean cruise and trips to Alaska, Grand Canyon, to the New England states and to Canada. Other survivors include sons Charles (wife Susan) of Tallahassee, and Robert (wife Susan) of Casselberry, Fla.; grandson Michael Riley of Tallahassee; two step-grandsons, John Babski (wife Elizabeth) of Tallahassee and Chip Tatum (wife Debbie) of Oviedo, Fla.; and a great-granddaughter, Hannah Tatum of Oviedo, Fla. Bevis Funeral Home (850/385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Frank Riley

August 12, 1919 - September 9, 2013