Mr. James Kenneth “Kenny” Riley, age 78, of Moorefield, Indiana, entered this life on December 21, 1946 in Switzerland County, Indiana. He was the son of the late Jesse J. and Mary Edith (Breeden) Riley. He was raised in Vevay, Indiana and was a 1964 graduate of the Vevay High School. Kenny was inducted into the United States Army on February 23, 1966 and served during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge. Kenny was transferred to the reserves on February 5, 1968 at Fort Hamilton, New York and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on February 22, 1972. Kenny was united in marriage on December 18, 1976 to Margaret Ann Varble at the Vevay Methodist Church. This happy union of nearly 49 years was blessed with a son Kyle and a daughter Katie. Kenny was employed in the repair station for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville, Kentucky, retiring after 44 years of dedicated service. He also farmed most of his life, raising cattle and tending the land that he loved. Kenny was a member of the American Simmental Association and the Vevay American Legion Post #185. Kenny had a playful spirit and especially enjoyed teasing his wife, Margaret Ann. He enjoyed collecting antiques and had a special fondness for John Deere tractors. Kenny took pride in showing his registered cattle and liked spending his time at auctions, visiting with friends and looking for a good bargain. Kenny passed away at 2:42 a.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at his residence in Moorefield, Indiana.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann (Varble) Riley of Moorefield, IN; his son, Kyle Riley and his wife, Patty of Moorefield, IN; his daughter, Katie Collier and her husband, Lance of Moorefield, IN; his grandchildren, Macy Collier, Cale Collier and Kallie Riley; his brother, Phillip Riley of Vevay, IN; his sisters, JoAnn Canfield of Madison, IN, Betty Mathews of Madison, IN, and Janette Ferguson Newell and her husband, Chuck of Covington, IN; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dale and Susan Varble, R.H. and Kris Varble, Vincent Varble, Lea Annette Varble, Georgette and Barry O’Neal, and Cindy Varble; and his several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse J. Riley, died January 26, 1983; his mother, Mary Edith (Breeden) Riley, died June 12, 2004; his brothers-in-law, Louis Franklin “Frankie” Ferguson Jr., died December 24, 2001 and Nelson Wayne Mathews, died November 10, 2022; his sister-in-law, Glenna S. (Gayle) Riley, died August 16, 2025; and his infant niece, Jill Aileen Mathews, died September 30, 1971.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, October 12, 2025, by Rev. Mike Jones, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Caledonia Cemetery, Moorefield, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Switzerland County 4-H or Switzerland County FFA. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com