Kevin Douglas Rife “Doug”, 60, of Rossville, passed away at 3:58 a.m. Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 peacefully at home. Doug was born on July 1st, 1961, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Paul and Margaret (Dunn) Rife. He married the love of his life, Kathy A. Gilbert on July 29th, 1985 in Rossville, Illinois, she survives.
He is survived by one daughter who he loved with all his heart, Marci Renae (Damen) Hillery, his “favorite” son-in-law Damen R. who he thought of as a son and one granddaughter who he helped name and cherished, Elaina Mae Hillery. One sister - Debra L. (Kevin) Miller of Peoria, Arizona; two brothers – Ron E. (JoEllen) Rife of Bedford, Indiana, Michael W. (Kate) Rife of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; one brother-in-law – Kenneth D. Gilbert Jr. of Speedway, Indianapolis; his father-in-law, - Kenneth D. Gilbert Sr. of Rossville, Illinois and so many other family and friends he thought the world of. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Gilbert.
Doug graduated from Rossville-Alvin High School. He worked at Food Machinery Corporation (FMC) for 25 years until their closing in 2004. He then received his CDL license and started driving for Sygma, IL to date.
Doug was an avid outdoors man, he loved to fish, bow hunt deer & turkey, mushroom hunting and golfing. Doug and his brothers had a taxidermy and bow shop where he loved to socialize with everyone that came in. He loved his many trips to Arizona to visit his sister and parents and an occasional drive over to Las Vegas.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held at Blurton Funeral Home, in Hoopeston, on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in Bethel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Doug’s life. Memories or photos may be shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at: www.blurtonfuneralhomes.com.
