Carol D. Riley, 83, of Abingdon, Illinois, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 30, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Carol was born May 4, 1942, in Petersburg, Illinois, the daughter of Leonard Franklin and Bessie Lee (Bundy) Miller. Carol was united in marriage to Larry G. Riley on November 1, 1967, in Galesburg. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage. Carol is survived by her husband, Larry of Abingdon; three sons, Earl (Melissa) Cox of Bernie, Missouri, Chris Riley of Galesburg, and Greg Riley of Abingdon; one daughter, Tammy Huber of Berwick, Illinois; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and 19 step grandchildren. Carol is also survived by her siblings, Robin (David) Whitker of Dexter, Missouri, Mike (Wanda) Miller of Monmouth, Illinois, Barbara Renfroe of Campbell, Missouri, Daniel (Michelle) Miller of Parma, Missouri, David (Jeannette) Miller of Essex, Missouri, Gregory (Teresa) Miller of Galesburg, Kevin Miller of Campbell, Missouri, Leonard Miller of Galesburg, Cheryl Taylor of Lakeland, Florida, and Shirley Cox of Abingdon. Including her parents, Carol was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Miller and Larry Miller; and three sisters, Bonnie Reed, Connie Miller, and Kathleen Miller.
Carol’s life devotion was being a stay-at-home mother to her children and in later years being the best grandma anyone could ask for. She loved nothing more than being at home surrounded by and spending time with those she loved. Carol loved listening to Alan Jackson, watching wrestling, especially Stone-Cold Steve Austin, and enjoyed completing cross word puzzles.
Visitation for Carol will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Abingdon Cemetery, Abingdon, Illinois. Pastor Tim Russell will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Watson Thomas Funeral Home, 1849 N. Seminary St., Galesburg, IL 61401. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
