Marion A. Riley, age 96 and a lifelong resident of the Elwood area, passed away on Monday, August 5, 2019 at Elwood Health and Living following a brief illness and a long, full life.  He was born July 11, 1923 in Curtisville, the son of Thomas Clifford and Elsie Pearl (Zentmeyer) Riley.  Marion was an Assistant Engineer and Lab Technician at Delco Remy plant 18 in Anderson and retired in 1985 after 40 years of service.  He attended Curtisville schools and later graduated in 1941 from Windfall High School.  Marion advanced his education at Purdue University and the College of Mines and Metallurgy in El Paso, Texas.  Marion proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and was captured by German forces as a prisoner of war.  He later received a Purple Heart Medal, a Prisoner of War Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.  Marion married Rosemary Murphy on April 10, 1948, and they shared nearly 60 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2008.  He was a member of the Elwood V.F.W. post #5782, the Elwood Elks Lodge #368, and the National Rifle Association.  Marion formerly enjoyed hunting and especially enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Jennings County for many years.  He was an avid reader of newspapers and other publications on a daily basis and enjoyed tinkering and fixing all kinds of things.  Marion was a private pilot and enjoyed aviation very much.  He frequently attended air shows around the area and attended the annual Auto Show on a regular basis.  Marion was blessed to remain mentally sharp and lived very independently late into his life.  More than anything, Marion's children and grandchildren were the highlight of his life, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Marion's family legacy includes 2 children, Patrick (wife Deborah) Riley of Atlanta and Jeannie (husband David) Pavese of Elwood; 2 sisters, Lucy Lipp of Flint, MI and Carol (husband Jerry) Emerson of Greentown; 6 grandchildren, Jason (wife Nikki) Riley, Erin James, Eric (wife Christine) Champion, Matthew (wife Krystal) Champion, Joshua Pavese (partner Leah), and Alyssa Pavese (partner Chance); 8 great-grandchildren, Victoria, Gavin, Amelia, Hunter, Tirzah, Abel, Oah, and Yarra; brother-in-law, Steven Sizelove of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.  Marion was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosemary Riley in 2008; and 3 siblings, Glen Riley, Larry Riley, and Dolores Long.

A funeral service celebrating Marion's life will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Paulette Stahlke officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Elwood and will include military honors by the U.S. Army and the Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the funeral on Saturday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood V.F.W. through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.