DAYTON DAILY NEWS                   Copyright (c) 1997, Dayton Newspapers Inc.DATE: Friday, August 1, 1997                TAG: 9708010105EDITION: CITY          SECTION: NEWS        PAGE: 1A TYPE: OBITUARY SOURCE: By Tim Miller  COLUMBUS BUREAU                          POLITICAL GIANT RIFFE DIES Representative served 20 years as speaker    COLUMBUS - The body of former Ohio House Speaker Vernal G. Riffe Jr. willlie in state Monday in the State Capitol building where he exercisedunparalleled political power for 20 years.   Mr. Riffe, 72, who died Thursday of cancer, will be eulogized by his son,Scioto County Commissioner Vernal G. "Skip" Riffe III, U.S. Sen. John Glenn,and Gov. George Voinovich.   "To many Ohioans, his legacy is perhaps intangible," said House Speaker JoAnn Davidson, R-Reynoldsburg. "He touched them through his tireless work forschools and universities, for children, for all Ohioans." Voinovich called Mr.Riffe a "giant," and said, "Quite simply, Vern Riffe was the greatestlegislator in Ohio history."   Mr. Riffe served 36 years in the House, a record 20 years as speaker. Hewent into the hospital May 5 for removal of a tumor that was not malignant,but doctors soon discovered he had lymphoma. Public visitation will be7-11:30a.m. Monday, followed by an invitation-only service in the StatehouseAtrium. The service will be televised for public viewing in the Rotunda.   A motorcade will accompany Mr. Riffe's body to Scioto County for burialTuesday. His family requests donations be made to Ohio State University'sJames Cancer Hospital or Shawnee State University.   - Tim Miller, Columbus bureau    Related   * Riffe's death ends an era in Ohio politics.  8A   * Politicians recall Riffe with fondness.  8ALENGTH:   42 linesILLUSTRATION: PHOTO (COLOR):          Vernal G. Riffe Jr.          PHOTO CREDIT:  FileCATEG: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - STATE OF OHIOSUBJ: OBITUARY NA: VERNAL G. RIFFE GEOG:  AT:  ENHANCER: ref8