Jerry Frederick Riley, 83, of Mount Vernon passed away on Sunday morning, October 26, 2025 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with declining health. He was born on May 22, 1942 in Knox County to the late William and Addie (Feasel) Riley.
Jerry belonged to the Sons of AmVets Squadron 95, life member of VFW Auxiliary Post 4027, member of the Colonial City Moose Lodge 2555 as well as the NRA, AMA and a 40-year member of the Centerburg Conservation Club of which he was a Trustee for many years. He had the honor of being the first non-Veteran asked to be part of the Military Honor Guard, first with AmVets then he was grandfathered into the Knox County Joint Veterans Council serving over 20 years.
He loved life and all his “toys”, flying remote control airplanes, riding motorcycles having belonged to the HOG group and GWRRA Colonial City Wings Chapter Y, the Ohio Valley Vigilantes Cowboy Shooting Club. On August 9th and 10th this year, Jerry celebrated his 65th Class Reunion with the class of 1960 Mount High School although most of his school years were spent in Centerburg School District. Jerry retired from Blubaugh Body and Frame, where he worked for over 30 years as body man. He also worked at Flexble in Loudonville for 10 years.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol (Patterson) Riley; daughters, Theresa “Traci” Stepp of Mount Vernon and Tammy Warner of Newark; son, Kelly Riley of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Taylor (Kyle Dunn) Stepp of Mount Vernon, Blake (Kaylana Palladino) Stepp of Mount Vernon; and great granddaughters, Amira Stepp, Aspen Robinson and Esmae Robinson.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by brothers, Charles “Chuck”, William “Bill”, Frances “Hank”, Donald “Don”, and Richard ‘Dick” ; and a sister, Betty Spray.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Lasater Chapel, 11337 Upper Gilchrist Rd., Mount Vernon where a funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mound View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, P.O. Box 64, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Homes are honored to serve the family of Jerry Frederick Riley.