Rohn D. Riley

Salem - Rohn D. Riley, 71, of Salem, passed away on October 14, 2025, at Salem Regional Medical Center.

Born August 7, 1954, in Salem, he was the son of Donald E. and Patricia A. (DeJane) Riley. A lifelong resident of the Salem community and a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1973, Rohn furthered his education at the Salem Trade School’s Machine Shop Program.

Rohn was a master of his craft and a jack of all trades. A hardworking tool and die maker by profession, his skill and dedication left a lasting impression on every shop he worked in. He spent many years with Sekely Industries, even traveling to Mexico for various projects. Beyond machining, Rohn’s talents extended to carpentry, plumbing, and masonry. He founded and operated Quaker City Furniture Stripping for over a decade and was highly skilled to build anything from scratch.

Whether tending to his landscaping, improving his home, or teaching his son valuable life skills, Rohn approached every task with care and precision. His patience and attention to detail made him a natural teacher, and his humor and generosity left an impact on everyone he met. An all-around likeable guy and entertainer, he could bring a smile to anyone’s face, and he enjoyed the camaraderie with his friends as a former member of Salem’s Independent Hose Club.

A devoted son, Rohn’s compassion and loyalty shined brightest in the years following his father’s passing. He made it a point to take his mother out regularly for “date nights,” sharing dinners, drives, and laughter together. Those evenings became cherished memories for both of them, a reflection of Rohn’s loving nature and deep respect for family.

A lifelong fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland sports teams, Rohn proudly cheered for his beloved Buckeyes, Indians, Cavs, and Browns, never missing an opportunity to catch a game in person with his son or on TV. A dedicated and loving dad, Rohn often traveled to Columbus to visit his son and watch his Buckeyes, even attending national championship games for the once in a lifetime experience. His other great love was his dogs—especially the big ones. His german shepherd, newfoundlands, and pitbulls brought him years of loyal companionship alongside his family.

He was previously married to Carol (Thomas) Riley for 35 years, and together they raised their son, Ryan D. (Samantha) Riley of Hilliard, Ohio. Rohn also leaves behind his beloved mother, Patricia “Pat” Riley of Salem, his granddaughter, Harper Rentz Riley, who brought him so much joy, sister, Susan (Bruce) Fender of Lisbon, brother, Robert Riley, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, Rohn was preceded in death by his brother, Randall Riley.

A private Celebration of Life service will be held by the family.

Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Rohn’s name to RescuedOhio by visiting www.rescuedohio.org. 

Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Please visit www.starkmemorial.com to send condolences and share memories.