Mike Riley

Charles Michael “Mike” Riley, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020, at the age of 80. Raised in Linton, Indiana to Francis Michael Riley and Mary Margaret Tracy Riley. He attended Indiana State University, obtaining his bachelor degree in 1961. He continued his education and was granted a juris doctorate from Indiana University/Indianapolis School of Law in 1965. His legal career began in Indianapolis when he served as a deputy city attorney, attorney general, and public defender from 1967 to 1980. He opened his private practice in Rensselaer in 1980 and continued practicing law locally & regionally through December 2019. As an established attorney in Rensselaer, he invited Jacob Ahler to join and assume his practice before retiring. Having tried over two hundred jury trials during his career, both civilly and criminally, in 1996 Governor Evan Bayh awarded him with the Sagamore of Wabash, the highest honor given to a civilian in the State of Indiana. Coming into his passion for politics during a critical time in the country, Mike was the President of the College Young Democrats while at ISU & law school. When he arranged a campaign speech for Robert Kennedy on April 4, 1968, he had no idea he would become a part of history. On the evening of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy took the stage and Mike was witness to what became a milestone speech in Indianapolis history, as well as our collective experience. A six-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Chairman of the Jasper County Democratic Party, and the City Attorney for Rensselaer for many years, his commitment to justice was appreciated by those that worked with him. Having supported the campaigns of many Indiana politicians and in acknowledgement of his historical connection to Robert Kennedy’s campaign he was invited to introduce Barack Obama during a town meeting in Fort Wayne on April 4, 2008. While his legacy includes many stories, his most cherished ones involved his family and close friends. In 2005, he married Kathleen White and they made their home at Toad Hollow. Sharing a love of adventure, travel and family, Mike & Kathy created a life for themselves and their families where a home was always available for holidays, grandkids, swimming, love and laughter. His family includes: Kathy White Riley (wife), his children Michelle Riley, Jess Riley & Nick Domogalik, Brendan and Elizabeth Riley, Colin and Rachel Riley, and Kathy’s children Christian and Linda White, Megan and Kevin Wright, Michael and Jill White, Marisa and Greg Weimer, Shannon and Ryan Mears. Add to that their 17 grandchildren. Preceding Mike in death were his parents and his daughter, Allison Riley Anderson. In lieu of flowers please contribute to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). A celebration of life will be scheduled in the future. Memories can be shared on the Feeney-Hornak Keystone website.