Sandra Lee Riley, 84, of Frankfort, Ind., passed away July 16, 2025 at Beehive Homes Memory Care in Lafayette. She was born on November 3, 1940 in Greenfield, Indiana to Joseph Albert and Nettie Mae (Trent) Sears. She married Norman Riley on July 3, 1958 in Elwood and he preceded her in death on September 2, 2024.
Sandra attended school in Greenfield and later earned her GED. She and Norman owned The Top Hat restaurant for 10 years and she managed the office at Riley Construction. She was a past member of the Moose, Eagles, and Elks Lodges in Frankfort. Sandra loved crafting – making many quilts by hand, crocheting, painting, and beading – especially her beaded spiders. She owned a ceramic shop and was a professional cake decorator, winning many awards at the fair. She and Norm were very talented ballroom and swing dancers, they also enjoyed watching old movies together, and a nightly game of Skipbo or Aggravation. Sandra found peace working in her flower garden. She will be fondly remembered for her wonderful cooking and homemade wine.
Surviving are her daughters: Dae Lenna Marie (Terry) Pippenger of Frankfort, Beth Ann (Tony) Bartley of Frankfort, Linda Denise Cortez of Frankfort, Lisa Reneé (Charles) Slaughterbeck of Lafayette, son: Norman Lee Riley, Jr. of Frankfort, brother: Jerry Sears of Gwynnville, IN, along with 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister: Sharon Kay Moore, grandson: Daniel Slaughterbeck, and 1 great-grandchild.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the employees at BeeHive Memory Care and all the friends Sandra made there.
In accordance with Sandra’s wishes, no services will be held. Archer-Weston Funeral & Cremation Center and Clinton County Crematory, 501 East Clinton Street, Frankfort are honored to assist the Riley family. Please visit archerweston.com, where you may share a message with the family.