Wilma Jean Orear Riley (Jean, Aunt Jeanie, or Grandma Jean to those who knew her), born March 5, 1927, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, at the age of 98. She leaves behind her loving husband of 74 years, Roger Donald Riley, their children: Patricia Fischbeck (Robert), Diane Erdman (Russ), Bradford Riley, Jennifer Riley, and Melissa Hinz (Brad) and her much loved grandchildren: Robert Fischbeck, Shelly Wunderlich, Kelly Erdman, Brian Erdman, Sean Riley, Charles Riley, Megan Sullins, Andrew Powers, Elizabeth Lindley, Benjamin Hinz, and Cara Phillips She was also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren. Jean and Don were married January 12, 1951. She was the daughter of Robert Gilham Orear and Georgia Weber White. Jean was preceded in death by her older brother, Robert Orear and her younger brother, Charles Orear, also two half-sisters, Kathryn Morrison and Virginia Peters and a beloved aunt, Caledonia Orear.
Jean grew up on the family farm in rural Waverly, Missouri, and began her formal education in a one-room schoolhouse, often riding her pony to school. She attended Grand Pass High School and graduated Valedictorian in 1944. After high school she attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, and Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri, earning a certificate in accounting.
As a young adult she spent time traveling accompanied by her aunt, while visiting places from San Diego to Washington DC. They even spent the summer of 1948 in New York City, enjoying Broadway shows and Yankees and Dodgers baseball games. This was the beginning of a lifelong love of travel. The only US state she never visited was Hawaii.
After marriage Don and Jean made Waverly their home and raised their family there. Jean always claimed that she was not a “joiner” but the activities of her children kept her very involved in the community. She served as a 4-H leader, Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, and church junior choir director. Her talents as a seamstress were regularly called upon to produce costumes for school plays, Pep Club uniforms, junior choir robes, and many other school, church, and community projects. Jean was an active member of the Waverly United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, helping with vacation Bible school, and serving on boards and committees. She was also a member of chapter Delta Sigma, Beta Sigma Phi sorority and was always available to lend a hand at the Waverly Apple Jubilee. She enjoyed being a part of the Waverly Bridge club and greatly enjoyed the days of the Belles & Beaux square dance club, the Round-Ups dance club, and participation in local musical productions. She lived a full and busy life but always had time to pause for coffee and a slice of something sweet with friends, family and neighbors.
Jean loved nature. She tended a huge vegetable garden for years and always enjoyed taking care of her flower beds. She loved watching the birds at the feeders in the back yard or identifying new birds on one of many camping adventures. Her first family camping adventure was probably sometime around 1960 and camping became a lifelong passion. Jean and Don shared their love of travel, camping, hiking, and seeing the sights with children, grandchildren, and many friends. A camping trip alone with Grandma Jean and Boompa was an experience long and lovingly remembered by all their grandchildren.
The other place you would always find Jean was in the bleachers or on the sidelines at almost every Santa Fe school program or sporting event from about 1958 to recent times. She was there supporting or cheering on whichever child, grandchild or great-grandchild was participating at home or on the road. Those countless hours are a testament to her love and support of her family and community.
The family will hold a celebration of Jean’ s life on Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Fellowship Hall of the Waverly United Methodist Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a short scripture and prayer, followed by time to visit with friends and family and enjoy some coffee and sweets. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Waverly United Methodist Church. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.