Age 58, passed away on October 17, 2017. He was born in Kalamazoo on January 18, 1959, the son of Eugene Rife Sr. and Verna (Baldwin) Rife. Gene served honorably in the U.S. Army and returned to Kalamazoo after being discharged. He had a kind and giving personality and was always willing to help others. Gene loved spending time with his family and friends and his smile and laughter will be missed. He was an avid Detroit Tigers and Lions fan, enjoyed playing bingo and caring for animals. On November 27, 1987, he married Connie Rife who survives. He is also survived by a son, Eugene Rife III; four step-children, Greg (Angie) Lyko, Joyce (Dave) Miller, Mickey (Alexandra) Haring-Hall, Jamie Haring; ten grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; his mother and five sisters. He was preceded in passing by a step-son, Mark Haring; his father, a step-father, Don Vendeville, and a sister, Lorna Passafiume.