Edward Rife

Edward "Ed" (Edsyl) Sylvester Rife, 93 died September 15, 2025, in Leonardville, KS.  He was born on January 5, 1932, in Osage Mills, Arkansas, the son of Claude and Bertha (Piercy) Rife. Ed was raised in Northwest Arkansas and graduated from Rogers High School in 1949.   He enlisted in the US Navy on July 2, 1950.  Ed served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. At a local dance while serving in Denver, Colorado, he met Rachel Schwab when she gave him her address and phone number and told him not to forget it.   Ed and Rachel later married on July 18, 1955, in Raton, New Mexico.  Ed made the rank of Senior Chief before eventually retiring in June 1970.  After leaving the Navy, they made their home in the Morganville community.  Ed worked at the Morganville Lumber Yard, served as the city maintenance technician and worked at the Scripter dehydrator mill.  He also volunteered at the Julie Thomas Library in Morganville.  Rachel preceded him in death on December 4, 2008. Ed was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sibyl Dunn, Lois Lewis, Georgia Wisehart, Erma McNeil, Eunice Rife; Sons-in-law, Joe Holenbeck and Nick Spears.

Survivors include:

Sister: Claudine Barnett of Rogers, Arkansas

Sister-in-law: Vivian Schwab of Clay Center KS

Sister-in-law: Eva Schwab of Clifton KS

Son: Steve and wife Cheryl Rife of Eudora, Kansas

Daughter: Helen Holenbeck of Alma, Kansas

Daughter: Paula Spears of Grove, Oklahoma

Grandchildren: Jeanette Spears Gaylord, Paul Spears, Mary Spears Landon (Brian), Travis Rife (Jo) and Kacie Olson (Travis)

Great-Grandchildren: Kayla James, Nicolas Spears, Marissa Shaver (Zane), Garrett Spears, Briana Landon, Twyla Landon, Jaquita Rife, Phillip Rife, Tyler Olson, Kali Olson, Tommy Olson

Great-Great-Grandchildren: Raylee Hurlbert, Maliah Shaver, Maci Ehlers, Boone Shaver, Brooks Rathmann, Drew Ehlers and Hallyn Spears

Many nieces and nephews

Pallbearers: Paul Spears, Travis Rife, Nicolas Spears, Daniel Schwab, Matthew Schwab, Aaron Crowl

Honorary Pallbearers: Boone Shaver, Tommy Olson, Tyler Olson, Garrett Spears, Jackson Crowl and Bradley Schwab

Funeral Services: 10:30 AM Monday, September 22, 2025, at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS

Burial: Morganville Cemetery, Morganville, Kansas

Visitation: 9:30 AM until service time September 22, 2025, at the Funeral Home

Memorials: Salvation Army c/o the funeral home