Kenneth "Ken" Richard Riess

Kenneth "Ken" Richard Riess, of Clermont, FL and formerly of Battle Creek, MI,



Ken, age 61, died Friday afternoon, November 1, 2013 at the Mike Conley Hospice House of Clermont, FL, following a lengthy illness and surrounded by his loving family.

Ken, the son of Richard Riess and Joann Riess Reynolds, was born on February 20, 1952 in Kalamazoo, MI; was a 1970 graduate of Battle Creek Lakeview High School, where he played football and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University. He had resided in Michigan until 1989; was retired from the Grand Trunk Railroad and from Walt Disney World in Orlando. Ken enjoyed being with family and friends; growing orchids; traveling and his extensive collections of trains, cars, coins, baseball cards and stamps. His biggest hobby was sports of all kinds especially following the MSU Spartans, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. Ken's pride and joy was his 2011 Chevy Camaro Super Sport.


On January 29, 1999, Ken was united in marriage to the former Vikki Boyd and she survives. Also surviving is his daughter, Rachelle "Shelley" (Matt) Scoles of Richland, MI and their children, Caleb and Luke Scoles; his son, Kevin Riess of Battle Creek, MI and his daughter Victoria ("Tori)" Riess of Marietta, OH; his step-son, Brian Gilbert of Clermont, FL; his mother, Joann Riess Reynolds of Battle Creek and his first wife, Judith Riess of Battle Creek. Ken was preceded in death by his father, Richard G. Riess.


The Memorial Service to celebrate Ken's life will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 1:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek with the Rev Dr. James M. Gysel, officiating. Friends will be received from Noon until service time at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ken's honor may be directed to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513 (Coach Jimmy Valvano).