Paul Edward Rife

Paul Edward Rife, 80, of Hoopeston,, formerly of Rossville, passed away at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 23rd, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana. Mr. Rife was born on June 2nd, 1936, in Rankin, Illinois, the son of John and Naomi (Lee) Rife. He married Margaret Ann Dunn on August 25th, 1954 in Paxton, Illinois. She preceded him in death January 11th of this year.
He is survived by one daughter - Debra L. (Kevin) Miller of Glendale, Arizona; three sons - Ron E. (JoEllen) Rife of Bedford, Indiana, Michael W. (Kate) Rife of Sevierville, Tennesee and Doug (Kathy) Rife of Rossville, Illinois; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one sister - Judith (Woodrow) Wilson of Rockville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Calvin Rife.
Mr. Rife attended Henning High School. He lived in Rossville where he retired from Food Machinery Corporation in 1991. Paul and Margaret moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1995. He was a member of the East University Church of God in Arizona where he was head of construction management of the new church. He was active in the Men's Group and did a lot of maintenance repairs at the church. He volunteered his time playing music at the nursing home in Arizona. He loved the Lord.
Paul truly enjoyed bowling and golfing and was on several bowling leagues with Margaret. His love of bowling led to his ball drilling business in Arizona. Any day on the golf course was a great day in his book.
Other favorite pastimes was playing music on his guitar while Margaret played the organ and watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play baseball. He loved his family, whether talking on the phone or spending time together, he cherished every moment. His marriage of 62 years to Margaret was a testament of true love.
A Celebration of Paul Rife's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28th, 2017, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Hoopeston with Pastor Micah Mobley officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service in Rossville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Carle Hospice. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Mr. Rife's life. Memories or photos may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at: www.blurtonfuneralhomes.com.

Cemetery Details