Edward L. “Ted” Riley, age 92 of Hammond, died Monday, July 15, 2013 at the Arthur-Rose Assisted Living Home in New Richmond. Ted was born on June 9, 1921 in Erin Prairie; the son of Edward and Genevieve (Hawkins) Riley. He graduated from Hammond High School with the Class of 1939, and then completed a course in welding at the vocational school in Chippewa Falls. He was then employed by St. Croix County Hwy Dept and the shipyards in Duluth before serving in the US Navy from 1943-1945 in the Pacific Theatre. On August 18, 1948, he was united in marriage to Muriel June Salkiewicz at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Richmond.

He worked in the Twin Cities as a welder before he and Chuck Lang purchased the Hammond Blacksmith Shop in 1946 and operated it until 1957. After working at Great Northern Oil Refinery in Rosemount until 1959, he went to work for DoBoy Industries in New Richmond, retiring in 1983. Ted was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception in Hammond, and served on committees for the cemetery, building the south side addition to the church, and the new rectory. Ted enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, golfing, bowling, and watching all sports.

Ted is survived by his children, Don (Debbie) Riley of St. Paul, Greg (Karen) Riley of Madison, Jean (Karl) Spott of Clayton; nine grandchildren, Sarah (Bret) Walsh, David (Caryn) Riley, Jonathan (Katie) Riley, Heidi Riley, Thor Riley, Amanda Riley, Reed (Krista) Shipley, Nadine Shipley, Ross Shipley; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosemary Vanda, Helen (Patrick) Donahue, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel; daughter, Elaine; brother, Jack Riley; sister, Kelly Strand; and brothers-in-law, Lyle Strand, Stan Geurkink, Les Vanda, and Nilen Salkiewicz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am Thursday, July 18 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1265 Ridge Way, Hammond, WI with Rev. Fr. Jerry Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with casket bearers being his grandchildren. Visitation will be held 1 hr. prior to Mass at church. Memorials preferred. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. 715-684-3434