Michael Thomas Riley, 76, took his last earthly breath and entered into the kingdom of Heaven on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Decatur County Memorial Hospital. Born September 8, 1946, he was the eldest son of George T. and Evelyn M. (Snider) Riley and eldest brother to Steven D. Riley and Cheryl A. (Riley) Koors. Upon graduation from Greensburg Community High School in 1965, Michael enlisted in the United States Navy and served on active duty from January 25, 1966, until October 9, 1969. He loved to reminisce of these times and often spoke of his days as a Navy Corpsman with the Fleet Marines serving in Okinawa, Japan, during the Vietnam War.
Shortly after his separation from the military, Michael married the love of his life, Darlene Sue Robbins, on December 28, 1969.During their early married years, they moved to Indianapolis where Michael worked with an ambulance service as an EMT before returning to Greensburg to build a wonderful life together, developing many long-lasting friendships that spanned the years of both of their lives, and then, on December 20, 1972, welcome Shelley, their only child. Michael spent his life dedicated to his family and his work and served both faithfully throughout his career and lifetime.
Upon returning to Greensburg, Michael began his lengthy law enforcement career on November 4, 1971, with the City of Greensburg Police Department and continued to work diligently here until he resigned on February 15, 1980. He then became employed as a loan officer at Union Bank & Trust Company from this time until February 1984, when he then returned to the career he loved: law enforcement. He was again employed by the Greensburg Police Department from February 23, 1984 – April 12, 2002, serving in many capacities such as Patrolman, Lieutenant, and then Chief of Police from 1989-2000 before retiring as a detective in 2002. Michael then returned to the banking industry where he served as a collections officer with MainSource Bank until his full retirement in early 2010s.
Michael also spent a great deal of his time involved in various professional and community organizations. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Greensburg and served on their Board of Deacons for several terms and as a member of several Emmaus teams, including leadership roles for both of these; the Fraternal Order of Police; the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police; and also was a Freemason with the Greensburg Masonic Lodge #36 and the Scottish Rite. He loved spending time with close friends for card parties and just to get together to fellowship, and even did some volunteering as an assistant softball coach. He was a very dedicated and loyal man in all facets of his life: to his family, his church, his work and coworkers, and his friends. His quick wit, sense of justice and fairness, ability to listen, discernment, giving of great advice, and even his sarcasm are attributes that made him the wonderful man he was and by those he will always be remembered fondly.
During the early years of his retirement, Michael spent a great deal of time taking care of his ailing wife, Darlene, who eventually passed away on September 12, 2011. After this, he continued to spend his time enjoying his family and attending the many functions of his very active four grandchildren in the greater Cincinnati area and also traveling greater distances with them as well as by himself. He traveled to Ireland (and kissed the Blarney Stone) and also traveled to Alabama and New York City with his grandson’s show choir parent/grandparent group to watch them perform. There was hardly a weekend game/tournament/competition he missed; he adored each one of them. After deciding the single life was no longer for him, he found love once again and married Mona Heck on April 11, 2015. They continued to enjoy each other’s company and traveling, both by themselves and to the kids’ events, until his health would no longer allow him to do so.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents, George T. & Evelyn M. Riley; his first wife, Darlene S. Riley; and his sister, Cheryl A. Koors. He is survived by his wife, Mona Riley; his daughter, Shelley Post; his 4 grandchildren: Teryn Post of Indianapolis, and Aidan, Sheridan, and Ronan Post of Cincinnati; his brother, Steven D. Riley of Indianapolis; his brother-in-law, Richard Koors of Greensburg; his nephews, Bryan Koors and Jason (Mary) Koors of Greensburg; and his step-daughter, Hannah (Kevin) McGill.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home, 302 N. Franklin St., Greensburg, IN 47240, from 4pm-7pm. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 209 W. Washington St.. Greensburg, IN 47240, at 10am on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 with visitation preceding the funeral from 9am-10am. The Rev. Cliff Bunch will be officiating. Committal services and military honors will be held at South Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project. To leave online condolences please visit www.popfuneralhome.com.