Harold Orville Rife
Harold Orville Rife, 73, of Camby, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, June 11. He passed away following a short battle with lung cancer.
The oldest of seven children, Harold was born on June 25, 1946, in Rochester, to the late Orville L. and Lucille Mae (Goble) Rife.
He graduated from Star City High School in 1964 and in 1970, he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University. Harold had a distinguished career with Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center Base in Crane, and retired in 1995. Following retirement, he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and went on to teach electrical engineering technology at IUPUI and ITT Technical Institute. Harold was the founder and board president of Lean Problem Solving Academy, a nonprofit that taught soft skills for the workplace.
Harold was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed genealogy, playing golf, and being outside. Harold lived an active life but never missed an opportunity to sit and have a good cup of coffee.
Harold was a loving father, grandfather, son and brother. He loved family gatherings, especially cookouts (you could always count on Harold to bring the veggie tray). Harold will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his daughter Jennifer [Greg Whipple] Rife of Camby; sons: David [Kate] Rife of Indianapolis, and Derek [Kristie Kennedy] Rife of Indianapolis; grandsons: Austin Rife, Chandler Rife and Cole Rife; granddaughters: Hope Rife, Lucy Rife, Karlie Dulworth and Kassidy Kennedy; second mom Gertrude “Gert” (Stout) Rife, of Winamac; brothers: Don [Jean] Rife of Winamac, John [Julie] Rife of Gonzales, Louisiana, Randy [Jill] Rife of Logansport, and Sam [Connie] Rife of Winamac; sisters: Carol [Mick] Hoffman of Winamac, and Naomi [Joe] Murphy of Winamac; several nieces and nephews; aunts: Elnora Jordon of Winamac, and Shirley Beckner of Winamac; many cousins; and former spouse Brenda Rose Jagnandan of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his parents Orville L. and Lucille Mae (Goble) Rife; and infant granddaughter Andrea Nicole Rife.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the First Baptist Church in Francesville. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at the First Baptist Church in Francesville, with Pastor Dennis Gutwein officiating. A recording of the funeral services will be uploaded to the funeral home website and Facebook page. Burial will take place at Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Francesville, or Paul’s Chapel Cemetery in Winamac.
Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — June 17, 2020)