Don Riley

Donald L. "Don" Riley, age 88, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026. He was born in 1937 to Don Sr. and Adelaide Riley. On February 4, 1961, he married Judy Burgess, whom he met in 1955 at a YMCA dance.

Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1956 and was stationed in Newport, RI. He served aboard the USS Daly (DD-519). In 1960, after attaining the rank of Second Class Petty Officer, S.C., he was honorably discharged. After the Navy, Don built his career in the electrical industry.

In his younger years, Don coached Little League Baseball. He enjoyed golf, softball, bowling, pheasant hunting, and investing in the stock market. In retirement, he and Judy spent many winters in St. Pete Beach, FL, and vacationed in Mexico, Hawaii, and Spain. He was an artist, a member of the Fond du Lac Artists’ Association, and an award recipient at its annual art show.

Don enjoyed cocktails with friends at Salty’s, was a lifelong Packers and Brewers fan, and an even bigger fan of his eight grandchildren. He loved hearing about their lives and sharing stories about his travels and time in the Navy.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Judy; his sons, Steve (Amy), Tim (Marsha), and Mike (Diane); his grandchildren, Sarah (James), Laura (Devon), Mitchell, Matt (Amanda), Allison (Colton), Nick (Savannah), Sami (Jerry), and Anna; his siblings, Jerry (Doris) Riley, Kathy Crouch, Sue Eaton (Vince Matassa), Jim (Marianne) Riley; and his sister-in-law, Carol Burgess.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Adelaide (Raiche) Riley; his brother, Ken Riley; his sister, Mary Riley; and his brother-in-law, Dale Crouch. He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Wilma and Les Burgess; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Donna and Wayne Hatton, Robert Burgess, and Ray Burgess.

Per Don’s wishes, a private funeral has been held. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com