Miriam passed away quietly on September 26 in her home in Westminster Village.

This writing from Miriam herself:

“I was born in Pierceton, Indiana on November 26 in 1924, raised near South Bend, and have lived in Indiana ever since. My parents were Floyd R. Kline and Hilda Felton, hard-working, and God-loving people. I had 4 brothers and sisters.

I worked for Studebaker Aviation during WW II in the personnel department.

I graduated from Purdue University with a BS degree in Institution Management.

Music was a special love of mine…singing at weddings, in several choirs and in the Purduettes. This led me to an introduction to my husband, Robert “Bob” Riley and we married in 1945, right after he served as a U.S. Navy dive bomber pilot in WW II. We had four children, one son and 3 daughters. I enjoyed bridge, gardening, exercise, baking and church & school activities.

Bob passed away at the age of 60. 

I then worked for our Assessors Office, served on the United Way Board, The Girl Scout Board, The Purdue Musical Organization Board, Church, and other civic organizations. I have been a member of the AY Chapter of PEO since 1960, having been invited then by Charlotte Stewart and Alice Axton.

In 1986 I married Robert “Doc” Epple, owner of Purdue University Book Store, and I gained two stepdaughters. Together we enjoyed travel, good music, water aerobics, and Maui. Doc passed away after 13 years of marriage.

I then married William “Bill” Heath of the Heath Insurance Agency in 2004 and gained two step-sons. We retired and built a home in Westminster Village. He passed away in 2017.

I have 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. “

Miriam was 98 when she passed away peacefully in her home and was so grateful for the excellent and loving care she received from IU Hospice, the caregivers from Home Care by Design and Westminster Village Care. They all came to love her as so many did. In her above biography she left off many other highlights of her incredible life. She graduated from Madison High School in Wakarusa, Valedictorian. Miriam was active in The Purdue Purduettes Choral group as one of the original members, in addition to: Purdue Gold Pepper Club, Purdue Chi Omega Sorority, Past President, Corporation Board, Past President, Alumnae Club Accomplishments: “Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities.”

She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science at Purdue University and was offered a hotel food management position in Chicago, which she turned down to focus on starting a family with Robert G. Riley.

She was a leader in the community including being a valued member of Covenant Presbyterian Church as a choir member, Elder, Clerk of Session, and Sunday School teacher.  She was active in the Happy Hollow Garden Club, Boy Scout Cub Leader, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Financial Board, Current Topic Club, Lafayette Symphony Guild, Tippecanoe County History Liaison, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Central Presbyterian Church Lafayette Community Education, United Way Board, PEO Philanthropic Club, Psi Iota Xi, Purdue Music Organization, Purdue University Presidents Council, John Purdue Club

She partnered to develop Pawnee Woods Subdivision on property the family owned adjoining the donated property at Happy Hollow Park.

She said her 3 main life focuses have been has been God, Family and Music.

She really loved her vacation times in California, Maui, Michigan and Florida.

She has always been generous to others, as a philanthropist for many worthy causes.

Preceding Miriam in death were her parents Floyd and Hilda Kline, her brother Milo E. Kline, her brother Ellis H. Kline, her husband Robert G. Riley (Married in 1945, deceased 1981,) Robert “Doc” W. Epple (Married in 1986, deceased 1999) and William W. Heath (Married in 2004, deceased 2017.)

Her siblings include Sister, Lorraine Lawrence, Vacaville, California (Spouse deceased William Lawrence); brothers, Ellis H Kline, (deceased) Louisville, Kentucky; Gerald D. Kline, South Bend, Indiana (spouse Martha) and Milo E. Kline, (deceased.)

Children with Robert Riley, Guy Riley, born 1948, West Lafayette, Indiana; Gail Riley, born 1951, Evergreen, Colorado with spouse Tom Statzell; Jane Riley, born 1953, Roswell, Georgia with spouse Greg Davidson; Joan Riley, born 1961, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Grandchildren, Roxanne L. Statzell, Evergreen, Colorado; Sidney M. Statzell; Jaxon R. Statzell (wife Sandra), San Diego, California; Lindy E. Camacho, West Lafayette, Indiana and Ashley E. Riley, Lafayette, Indiana.

Great Grandchildren, Maizy Alexander, Evergreen, Colorado; Easton Alexander, Evergreen Colorado; Lennox J Statzell, San Diego, California.

Stepdaughters, Pam Epple, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Melissa Epple, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Stepsons, Will Heath (spouse Jill), Indianapolis, Indiana; Thom Heath, Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Step grandchildren, Gavin Medley and Kelsey Nibbelink

 Writing from daughter Gail:

Mimi loved God, music, her family and embracing life with grace.

Mimi sent cards, lots of cards… thank you, get well, sympathy, congratulations and even thanks for calling me cards. She remained devoted to her living siblings Lorraine Lawrence and Gerald Kline with a call every Friday. She would have loved to be able to call brother Ellis and brother Mike, both gone.

But nothing compares to her impact more than that of the four children and grandchildren who she loved unconditionally throughout the entirety of her life.

Generous, and devoted.

This was a woman who thoroughly engaged with her community as she lived. Those who loved or knew her will always hold her in esteem with her high standards and lovable, caring personality. A gracious hostess, she lit up a room; first with her outward beauty quickly followed by her inward beauty grace and charm.

Mom has set the bar high as a mother, friend and encourager to her family. She was simply the best.

Hold her in your hearts and think of her with a smile

 In lieu of flowers, make memorial gifts to

Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, 300 Main Street, Suite 100, Lafayette, Indiana 47901 or Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607. www.SamaritansPurse.org

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 29, 2023 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909 with Chaplain Eric Leitner officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery in West Lafayette, IN.

Miss me but let me go by Christina Rossetti

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little–but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me–but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss Me–But Let me Go!