Nancy Jean Rife, 81, of Rossville, passed away at 7:14 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at Carle Foundation Hospital, in Urbana.
Nancy was born on August 26, 1940, in Higginsville, Illinois, the son of Woodrow Wilson and Inez Marie (Claypool) Tutwiler. She married Larry Rife on April 4, 1969, in Henning, Illinois. He survives.
She is also survived by her two sons- Bill Rife of Home Gardens, Illinois and Nick (Tammy) Rife of Knoxville, Tennessee; two grandchildren- Kyle (Kelly) Rife and Megan Rife of Knoxville, Tennessee; one great-grandson- Maxon Rife of Knoxville, Tennessee; one sister- Karen Langdon of Oakwood; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother- Jerry Tutwiler.
Nancy graduated from Henning High School, in 1958, and she later graduated from the University of Illinois Business College. She worked for several years as a legal secretary at Gunn-Hickmann Law Firm, in Danville. She later worked as a bookkeeper at Gutteridge Harley-Davidson for many years and then later Fisher’s Farmers Grain, as a bookkeeper. She was a member of the Henning United Methodist Church, where she played the piano and organ. She also served as a past secretary of the Vermilion County Fair. Nancy loved knitting and crocheting. She was very well known for her knitting of baby blankets and baby clothes for her family and friends. She also enjoyed watching rodeos and watching Kyle Busch race. Nancy was a loving wife and wonderful mother and grandmother. She loved being around her great-grandson-Maxon. He always put a smile on her face. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her and loved her.
A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Blurton Funeral Home, in Potomac, with Pastor Chris Quick officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest following the services in Danville National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Nancy’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The family has entrusted the Blurton Funeral Home to assist them in honoring Nancy’s life. Condolences may be shared with the family on her everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.
