Dan W. Riley, 86, long-time owner of Riley's Bakery, joined his heavenly family on November 10, 2023, at Hospice of Southern Kentucky. He was predeceased by his parents, William Moore and Katherine Allender Riley and his sister, Joane Riley.

Dan was a native of Barbourville, Kentucky. As an infant, his family moved to Corbin, Kentucky, where they opened a full-line bakery. During World War II, in 1943, they purchased a bakery in Bowling Green, Kentucky and moved there in 1945.

Dan graduated from Bowling Green High School, class of 1955, where he played football, basketball, and golf. He then attended Vanderbilt University, where he played freshman football. As a junior, Dan transferred back to Bowling Green Business College and graduated in 1959.

After serving in the US Army, Dan didn't know what he wanted to do for work, but he knew he wanted to do it in Lexington, Kentucky. After moving there, he went to work for Cowden Manufacturing Company, a garment production company. Starting in quality control, he traveled between the 6 original plants. In 1963, Dan was transferred to Springfield, Kentucky, in production as an Assistant Plant Manager. This is where he and Sandy started their married life. Springfield was a nurturing home to them, with Dan playing golf daily at Lincoln Homestead Park. In 1966, Dan was transferred to Beaver Dam, Kentucky as the Plant Manager. He oversaw the startup of a brand-new plant, teaching all foreladies and mechanical personnel their jobs so they could in turn teach the rest of the workers.

In late 1968, with his father in poor health, the decision was made to return to Bowling Green to manage Riley's Bakery. After losing his father in 1973, Dan became the face of Riley's Bakery for 45 years. He was most known for his wonderful smile and infectious laugh. Dan loved football, golf and fishing. He had so many enjoyable stories of all his adventures with his different buddies in each sport. His whole life in Bowling Green, he loved his Bowling Green Purples, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and Kentucky Wildcats, following each to away games as well as home games.

Dan was active in many organizations in Bowling Green serving as Former Chairman of Barren River Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board (precursor to Lifeskills), Past President of The Kentucky Retail Baker's Association, Past Chairman of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Past President of Indian Hills Country Club. Dan loved his church family at State Street United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School teacher, Administrative Board Member, and Church Treasurer for many years.

Dan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sandy Coleman Riley; his son, Shaun Riley of Bowling Green; his daughter, Trish Mancini (Paul) of Knoxville, Tennessee; his grandson, Tyler Ryan of Knoxville, Tennessee; and niece, Leslie Riley of Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services for Mr. Riley will be conducted on Friday, November, 17th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at State Street United Methodist Church with interment to follow in the Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, November 16th, 2023 at 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home and again on Friday November 17th, 2023 from 12:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at State Street United Methodist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Hospice of Southern Kentucky, Southern Kentucky Kids On the Block, State Street United Methodist Church or charity of your choice.