Obituary of Donald Risley

Donald C. Risley, age 68, of the Adams County Town of Rome, died Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids. Don was born in Madison, Wisconsin on March 2, 1945 to Marion and Dorothy (Rennebohm) Risley. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1963 and went on to attend Iowa State University. While attending school in Madison Don met the love of his life, Ellen Williams. Ellen and Don were married in 1964 in Illinois. After their marriage, Don accepted a position at Gormac Products in Racine. He and his business partner later founded Racine Machinery Moving, which Don owned and operated until his retirement in 2012 when he and Ellen moved to their retirement home in the Town of Rome. Don had a love of sports and played football at both Madison West and Iowa State. He enjoyed the outdoors; golfing, fishing in Canada, and the many good times spent hunting at ?The Palace?. He had a very magnetic personality and never met a stranger. He loved to entertain others and enjoyed many good times with family and friends. Don is survived by his wife, Ellen; four sons: Timothy (Melissa) Risley of Peachtree City, Georgia, Jeffrey Risely of Racine, Thomas (Karen) Risley of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Donald (Morgan) Risley Jr. of Laurel, Maryland; seven grandchildren: Joshua, Sarah, Brandon, Ella, Kate, Quinn, and Reagan; two brothers: Robert (Audrey) Risley of Naples, Florida and John (Jan) Ihde of Mukwonago, Wisconsin; one sister, Anna Risley of Tucson, Arizona; sister-in-law, Mary (Phil) Lohr of Madison; special niece and nephew, Ellyn Lohr and Peter Lohr; many dear friends; and his faithful companion, his Labrador, ?Buddy?. He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Wayne and Esther Williams. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids. Chaplain Kristi Kleinbeck will officiate. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to United Cerebral Palsy.