ORIE RILEY, 100, of rural Dexter, passed away June 19, 2011 surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Orie was born March 22, 1911 to Ed and Retta (Puffinbarger) at rural Amorita, Oklahoma. He was the oldest of seven children and attended school at Byron.

He spent his youth working on the family farm and working for neighbors and their farms. He went to Texas and worked on a sheep ranch before returning and working the next five years on a farm near Bluff City, Kansas.

On April 27, 1938, Orie married Ruth Cromwell at Anthony, Kansas and moved to a farm located three miles north of the Hicks Chapel Church. In 1946, they moved to the current family farm where he lived until his death.

Orie was known for his wonderful knowledge of gardening and shared the produce raised with neighbors and family. He and Ruth were Otto 4-H community leaders for many years and were active in the church. He served on the local school board and was on the board of directors for the Cedar Vale Coop for many years.

He and Ruth enjoyed traveling and wintered in Texas from 1980-1993. His excellent memory provided wonderful stories spanning 100 years, including breaking and working mules and horses, stories of the depression and family history. He was an inspiration to his family by the way he lived his life, his work ethic and his motto for life -- Always leave it better than you found it.

In addition to his parents, Orie was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years in 2002 and siblings Martha King, Opal Case, and Harold Riley.

Survivors include:
His three children: Carole (Norman) Christenson; Jim (Rose Ann) Riley; and Degaye (David) Latta;
His grandchildren: Tami Cooley, Traci Wedd, Cassie Karlsson, Ross Latta, John Riley and Kendra Frasier;
His 11 great grandchildren;
His one great-great granddaughter; and
His sisters: Grace DeVore; Marcella Swiggett, and Lenora Price;
Along with Numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at the Hicks Chapel United Methodist Church, where he attended for the last 70 years. The church is located three miles south and two east of the Dexter and 166 Highway Junction. Interment will follow at the Maple City Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

Memorials have been established in Orie's name for Hicks Chapel Church and for the Dexter Senior Citizens Center, where Orie loved to go for a good competitive game of pitch.