David Risley

David Risley, 70, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Glen Oaks Health Campus after battling a long illness. He was born in New Castle at the Henry County Hospital on October 19, 1953, a son of the late Hobart Lee and Helen Jane (Farrow) Risley.

David was a 1971 graduate of the Walter P. Chrysler High School in New Castle. In 1976, he graduated from Ball State University with a BS in Business Administration and furthered his education at Indiana University where he earned an MBA in 1980. 

David followed in his parents’ footsteps as a teacher. He was an instructor at several respected institutions, including Manchester College, Frostburg State University, Indiana State University, and Ivy Tech Community College. Following his teaching career, David served as an examiner with the Indiana Secretary of State Securities Division. Then in 2004, David joined the staff at the Courier Times as a staff writer; he held this position until 2015 when he then became Sports Editor, a position he held until his retirement in 2023.

One of the happiest days of David’s life was May 11, 2015, when he was named Sports Editor at the Courier Times; this was his “dream job” and he loved every minute of it, hoping to never retire. He began as correspondent under Sports Editor John Hodge in 2004 before taking the reins himself. For more than two decades, David’s byline was part of sports coverage in the New Castle and Henry County communities. David’s dedication was impressive as he covered sporting events all over Henry County and that dedication was reflected in the articles themselves which included interesting details and reflections of the past. He had earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and readers. Over the years of covering sporting events, David had the privilege to witness and report on many great sports icons and events from the area but they were privileged to have been reported on by a Sports Editor icon, David Risley. David is survived by his brother, Dr. John (Zina) Risley of Richfield, NC.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a cousin, Brian Risley of Valporaiso, IN.

Services will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 31st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hobart and Helen Risley Family Scholarship Fund through the Henry County Community Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or by visiting: https://www.henrycountycf.org/scholarship/hobart-helen-risley-family-scholarship-fund/. 

You may express condolences or share memories of David at www.hinsey-brown.com.