John William “Bill” Rife, age 77, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023, at York Hospital.
Born in Chambersburg, PA on March 22, 1946, Bill was the son of the late John E. and Marybelle Stouffer Rife.
A 1964 graduate of CASHS, Bill was active member of his class. He was also a 1966 graduate of Michigan State University.
Bill served honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a farmer all his life. He was affectionately known as “Farmer Bill”.
He was a member of the PA Farm Bureau and the Cumberland Vallery Antique Engine Machinery Association, where he was very active and always volunteered in the BBQ chicken building for fund raising events.
Bill enjoyed tractor pulls, especially watching his grandson pull and anything John Deere related.
Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Gerilyn Thompson Rife, whom he married on January 7, 1967, two children, Yvette A. Rife of Greencastle, PA and Jason W. Rife (Shannon Hackenberg) of Chambersburg, PA, a grandson, Jakob Rife (fiancé Sara Washabaugh) of Chambersburg, PA, two siblings, Howard Rife (Alison) of Shippensburg, PA and Sara Davis (Ken) of Messiah Village, PA, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church, 9244 Five Forks Rd., Waynesboro, PA 17268, where Pastors William “Bill” Shank and Fred Garber will officiate.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 24, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, November 25, 2023, one hour prior to the service at the above church and address.
Interment in Parklawns Memorial Gardens will be private.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Chambersburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Cumberland Valley Antique Engine Machinery Association, 1501 Criders Church Rd., Chambersburg, PA 17202.
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