Samuel Raymond Rife

Samuel Raymond Rife

(May 20, 2016 - April 17, 2026)

Our beloved Sam passed away last Friday following a road accident. His death leaves our family, our church, and our community in deep sorrow. With his outgoing personality, unusual height, striking blond hair, and boundless energy, he made an impression everywhere he went - and he went everywhere. Sam was a student at Green Local Schools, where he was beloved by his teachers and classmates. He was a fixture in local youth sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, and Tae Kwon Do. He had many friends in town and loved seeing them all at “skate night” and our many town gatherings. He had many friends in his neighborhood, Meadow Wood, and led local kids on patrols through the creek and in pick-up games of all kinds. He was active at Greensburg United Methodist in the Sunday School program, the choir, and the Bed Brigade ministry. We are grateful for the people from these and many other walks of life who have stepped forward with joyful memories of Sam. In addition to being profoundly social, Sam was also deeply intelligent. He had a passionate love of history and would share details he learned from books and documentaries with everyone, with perfect recall. He was quick with a joke and a natural performer. He was also compassionate. He took as much or more delight in coaching his friends and teammates as he took in his own successes on the ballfield. Early experience being in service to housing and food-insecure neighbors inspired him to make the world a better place, and he donated money to and volunteered with organizations that help vulnerable communities. His absence will be felt everywhere, but nowhere more keenly than in his family. The first grandchild on both sides, he was absolutely adored by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. In 2018, he was thrilled to welcome his sibling, Marta. When he arrived at the hospital, he brushed off other reunions saying, “oh, hi Mama, where’s MY baby?” Through the Covid pandemic, they were inseparable companions, forging a deep bond. They enjoyed their morning wake-up snuggles and Marta says they were there for each other no matter what. Dad and the kids went on many hiking excursions and daytrips. Harlen and Sam shared a sense of humor and loved jokes, snuggling, and tickling. Mom and Sam enjoyed reading historical fiction together, playing card games and chess, and having many a long talk during what was supposed to be bedtime. He recently became a cousin and loved updating his church family on every milestone in the new baby’s life. Losing him too soon, we can’t help but envision what could have been. He wanted to be an NFL player, a US Navy pilot, an astronaut, and President. However, with his compassion and care for the “littles,” in our life, we always assumed he’d be a kindergarten teacher or coach. We can only imagine what we have lost by the immeasurable impact he made in just ten years. He changed all our lives for the better and we will never forget him. Our faith teaches us that he is still with us in spirit and that, in due time we will see him again -- likely with his signature rakish grin and a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes.

Sam is survived by his father, J. Harlen; mother, Madeline; sibling, Marta; paternal grandparents, John and Jeanne Rife; maternal grandparents, Michael and Sandy Sopko; aunts and uncles Liz and Eric Klostermeyer and Michael and Kalin Sopko; and cousin Henry. He is also survived by great aunts and uncles.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 24 th , 4 - 7 pm at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home ( 3553 Northdale Street NW , Uniontown, OH 44685 ) and again on Saturday, April 25th, 9 - 11 am at Greensburg United Methodist Church (2161 Greensburg Rd, North Canton, OH 44720). Funeral services will follow at Greensburg UMC at 11 am. To honor Sam, donations can be made to the FamilySupport Specialists program of Green City Schools via this link .