Honorable Celebration of Life
David Lawrence Riley was born Aug. 28, 1943, in New Castle, Indiana. At age 78, he took the Lord’s hand and caught a flight to Heaven on Saturday Dec. 11th, 2021, at 10:40 p.m., hand in hand with children. “Right before our eyes, dad flies high like a shooting star.”
Dad started his life singing with his siblings for their father’s ministry at the age of 5. His most memorable and enjoyable times were listening and singing music with his family, restoring cars, constructing, and repairing. He then married Linda K. Murray, who is the mother of his children.
He entered the U.S. Army and served as Sgt. First Class. David worked at Dana Corp. for 5 years, served as a patrol officer at Hagerstown Police Dept., then proceeded to serve with the Wayne County Sheriff Department for 38 years.
He attended and graduated from Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and was the first officer to achieve 20 years of service with the Department. David graduated from U.S. Marshall Academy as class president and achieved the award from the Sheriff for implementation and development of the operation of 911.
He also was involved in the development of the Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard and received The Kentucky Colonel award from the Governor of Kentucky. David then obtained the Legion of Merit award from the American Legion.
Dad then married Phyllis Jane Hensley in 2003 and enjoyed traveling, antique cars and working in the yard together.
David was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis on October 15th, 2020; his father, George Carvin Riley; mother, Ida C. Riley; brother, Gerald C. Riley; sister, Mary Ruth Rinehart; sister, Martha C. Witham; and brother, John L. Riley.
Survivors of David L. Riley are son Mark D. Riley, wife Kim M. Riley; daughter, Lynette S. Riley; stepdaughter, Vicki Lamb, husband Don Lamb, Cathy Traylor (Terry); sister, Clara Christine Farmer; brother, Samuel H. Riley; sister, Tina M. Sells; and brother, Tracy Peacock; grandchildren, Mark A. Riley, wife Kristan Riley, Danielle E. Preston, husband Chris Preston, Kylie N. Brockman; step-grandchildren, Erica, and Tyson Grace, Lt. Col. Mathew/Kristina Lamb, Sarah Lamb, Jennifer/Jeremy Wagnor, Adam Traylor; and many great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until funeral services at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday December 18th, 2021, at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Dublin. Aaron Roberts will be officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Centerville.
Online condolences can be made at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com