Judge James P. Rielly

Judge James P. Rielly

Judge James P. Rielly, 79, of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born November 23, 1931, at Rock Valley, Iowa, the son of Patrick and Catherine Higgins Rielly. He graduated from the Rock Valley High School with the class of 1950. He earned his B.A. from Westmar College in 1953. Jim served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. Upon his discharge from the Army he entered the University Of Iowa College Of Law and earned his J.D. in 1958. On August 31, 1957, he was united in marriage to Mary E. McGinty at Rockwell City, Iowa. Mary died September 17, 2006. In October of 1958 he moved to Oskaloosa and began practicing law with Fleck and Jones. In 1964 he joined Bob Spayde in Spayde and Rielly. In 1980 he was appointed by Governor Robert Ray as a State District Court Judge. He retired in 2001, and was appointed Senior Iowa District Court Judge; he was currently serving in that capacity. He served as City Attorney for Oskaloosa from 1963-1965 and then again from 1971-1980. In 1967, President Johnson appointed him U.S. Attorney for the southern district of Iowa, a position he held until 1969. He was a member of: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, early on Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Elks, Iowa State Bar Association, and the Iowa State Judges Association. Jim always enjoyed socializing and golfing at Elmhurst Country Club now Oskaloosa Golf. He also enjoyed reading, fishing, and spending time at the ’roundtable’ at the Elks. Jim enjoyed tailgating and attending Iowa Hawkeye Football games. Family was always very important to Jim; Sunday dinner with his family was time he cherished.

His family includes his five children: Mary Pat (& Bill) Johnson of Rockport, Massachusetts, Ann (& Nathan) Baker of Loomis, California, Michael Rielly of Minocqua, Wisconsin, John Rielly of West Palm Beach, Florida, and State Senator Tom (& Mary) Rielly of Oskaloosa. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren: Ben, Sam, Amanda, and James Baker, and Katie and Shawn Rielly; a brother: John Rielly of Houston, Texas; two sisters in law: Mary Ann McGinty or Rockwell City, Iowa and Collen (& George) Dowling of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida; and a brother in law: Howard Cheever of Sioux City, Iowa.

In addition to his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters: Patricia Boucher, Mary Margaret Van Oosbree and Rose Cheever.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 3, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jeff Belger officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion, V.F.W. and D.A.V. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday morning after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel. The Rosary will be recited at 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel and the family will be present until 4 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Oskaloosa Public Library Book Fund.