Charles M. Riley
Charles Michael âMikeâ Riley, 80, passed away Friday, June 26, 2020.
Raised in Linton, he was born 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 1967-1980. He opened his private practice in Rensselaer in 1980 and continued practicing law locally and regionally through December 2019.
As an established attorney in Rensselaer, he invited Jacob Ahler to join and assume his practice before retiring. Having tried more than 200 jury trials during his career, both civilly and criminally, in 1996 Gov. Evan Bayh awarded him with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor given to a civilian in Indiana.
Coming into his passion for politics during a critical time in the country, Mike was president of the College Young Democrats while at ISU and 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 Kennedyâs 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 and 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 his wife, Kathy White Riley; his children Michelle Riley, Jess and Nick Domigalik, Brendan and Elizabeth Riley, Colin and Rachel Riley, and Kathyâs children, Christian and Linda White, Megan and Kevin Wright, Michael and Jill White, Marisa and Greg Weimer, and 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.
