Martha Lou (Risley) Risley

Martha Lou Risley, 79, peacefully passed away Sunday, September 3rd at 11:07PM at the Amber Manor Care Center in Petersburg, Indiana.

Martha was born on Christmas Day in 1943 in Pike County to the late William F. and Mary DeMotte Risley.  She was a member of the Velpen United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.  She taught 2nd grade at Throop Elementary in Paoli for over 30 years.  For many of those years, she commuted weekly from her much loved family homestead in Velpen to a small apartment on the Square in Paoli.  Her impact on her Orange County students is an important part of her legacy.

Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Ann (Jerry) Pride, Otwell, Mary Katherine “Kate” Williams, Petersburg, and one brother, John Richard (Suzanne) Risley, Fort Wayne.  She was preceded in death by brother LTC Dannie Joe Risley.  Martha was an inspiring and loving aunt to 13 nieces and nephews.  She was sadly preceded in death by nephews Roger Williams and David Pride.  Surviving are 6 nieces and 5 nephews.  Surviving nieces: Dana Risley, of Massachusetts, Sherry Christianson of Florida, Melissa Matos of Florida, Amy Card of Illinois, Sara Risley of Indianapolis, and Jennifer Kluemper of Jasper.  Surviving nephews: Chet Williams of Petersburg, Stephen Pride of Brownstown, Richard Williams of Winslow, Gene Williams of Monroe City, and Brian Risley of Fort Wayne.

The funeral will be at 1 PM EST on Saturday, September 9th at the Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg with visitation from 11 AM EST until service time at the funeral home. Interment will be immediately following in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Velpen.

Walnut Grove Cemetery in Velpen was a very special place to Martha, the destination of many evening walks to pay respects and share stories and life lessons with nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, who would never miss a chance to walk along.  She was proud to have served as a Walnut Grove board member for many years.  Memorials may be sent to Walnut Grove Cemetery, c/o Treasurer Beth Schilling, 9080 E CR 200 South, Velpen, IN  47590.

Harris Funeral Home is entrusted with care.

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