WARNER, Riley E.

Riley E. Warner, 83, of Thatcher, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009, at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. Riley served in the Navy at the end of World War II. He married his high school sweetheart, Eva Lou Allen, in the Mesa LDS Temple in June 1946. Riley worked as a pharmacist in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area while they raised their six children. The family moved to Parker, where Riley owned and operated a drugstore and a movie theater from 1966 to 1983. The couple returned to Thatcher in 1983, and Riley worked as a pharmacist locally until his retirement. He served in many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eva Lou Warner; three sons and two daughters, Anna, Alan (Kathi) Warner, Brian (Luraly) Warner, Kathy (Hank) Hoeft and Bruce Warner; and 28 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Riley was preceded in death by his son, Michael Warner, his parents and 13 siblings. Viewing was held at the LDS Church Street Chapel on Wednesday, June 10. A graveside service followed in the Thatcher Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Published on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in the Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona.