Katherine Riley

Athens Katherine Riley, beloved pastor, friend, and family member, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at age 73.

Katherine began her life in Southwest Ohio but moved with her parsonage family all over the state. She graduated from Mississinawa Valley High School, in Union City, in 1970. She went on to Otterbein College in Westerville, and then received her Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of Dayton, OH.

She began her career as a United Methodist minister in Southeast Ohio, moving later to Northwest Ohio, and finally back to Southeast Ohio. She ended her career with an appointment to the Coolville and Hockingport United Methodist charge. As a pastor, she was known for her positive outlook, her generosity, and her outreach to people in need. She also had a passion for West Ohio United Methodist church camps and enjoyed serving on the Conference Camp Board, and as a camp counselor. She was an active member of United Women in Faith, the Rural Chaplains Association, and UM Rural Advocates.

Katherine really enjoyed travel - she made a point of visiting all the continental 49 states, and traveling to South America, Europe, and the Middle East. She loved to sing, singing with Sisters in Song (West Ohio Women in Ministry), and in the Coolville Community Choir. She loved her many cats (especially her well-loved Sunny) and her dog, Bruiser-Lynn.

Katherine was beloved by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend James and Winifred Riley, her brother, John, her nephew Vincent, her brother Timothy, and his wife Debra. She is survived by her longtime friend Carlene Triplett, her sister-in-law Mary Patacca, her nieces Mariah, Roxanne, and Madelyn, and her many cousins and friends.

Her family wishes to express special thanks to her caregiver Sandra Patacca, Kimes Nursing and Rehab Center, Kimes Hospice, and Amedisys Hospice Care Services of Marietta, for their excellent care.

Services will be conducted by Reverend Phil Thomas at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Coolville United Methodist Church, in Coolville, OH. Reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NAMI Athens, OH (https://namiathensohio.org/get-involved/donate/), the Coolville United Methodist Church (PO Box 125, Coolville, OH 45723), or the Hockingport United Methodist Church (PO Box 453, Hockingport, OH 45739). Arrangements have been entrusted to Hughes Funeral Home where you may sign the online guestbook at www.ehwfh.com. Katherine Riley