George Rife, 80, of 2061 S. CR 275E, Warsaw, died at 12:13 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009, in his residence.
He was born March 29, 1929, in Warsaw, to Chauncey Edith M. Hillery Rife. On Sept. 8, 1958, in Warsaw, he married Rose Ellen McClung, who survives.
A lifetime Warsaw resident, he was a welder and heavy crane operator for NIPSCO for 29 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Celebration United Methodist Church, Winona Lake. He was a former Winona Lake Fire Dept. volunteer; a member of Allen County Sheriff's Posse and Appaloosa Horse Clubs; and was a volunteer advocate for CASA. He formerly owned R-Designs Silk Screening co. and raised stallions and mares.
Also surviving are a daughter, Rose Marie Bradley, Palestine; a son, Rex Allen Rife, Pierceton; two sisters, Merl Hauth, Warsaw, and Louise Hayden, Jensen Beach, Fla.; a brother, Leonard Dale "Dick" Rife, Tallahassee, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son.
A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with Pastor Cindy Gackenheimer officiating.
Calling is two hours prior to the service Friday at the cemetery.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials to Celebration United Methodist Church, 1289 S. CR 250E, Winona Lake, 46590; or the Winona Lake Fire Dept., 1000 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
