EUGENE “GENE” RIFFE, age 56 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Friday evening, December 16, 2011 at the Ruby Memorial Hospital at Morgantown, WV. He had been in declining health.
He was born Wednesday, January 26, 1955 at Yeager, McDowell County, WV a son of the late Isaac Edward and Alberta Howard Riffe. He was reared from an infant by his aunt, Edna Harlan of Norton along with her children, Debbie, Rick, and Billy. On August 12, 1979 at Elkins, WV he was married to the former Bonnie Jean Howell, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Mary Alice Riffe Weese; Marsha Ann Lester and husband Dennis; and Melisa Jo Jackson and husband Jimmy, all of Elkins; four brothers, Ervin Riffe and wife Sue, Premier, WV; Dotson Riffe and wife Bonne; James Riffe and wife Connie; and Johnny Riffe, all of Jefferson, GA; two sisters, Casey Riffe Sizemore and husband David; and Irene Hall, all of Yadkinville, NC; and three grandchildren, David Eugene Green; Kelsey Ann Lester; and Alayna Lashell Lester.
Preceding him in death is one daughter, Patricia Ann Ball, three sisters, Kathleen Stanley Riffe; May Gibson; and Lola Mullis and two brothers, Carlos Howard; and Harvey Jack Riffe..
He attended the schools of Baltimore, MD and was a truck driver for many years for Kermit Butcher, DNR Trucking, D & W Truck Lines, R. H. Armstrong and Paugh Trucking. He had a great love for the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, the beach and was an avid NASCAR enthusiast. He was a member of the Tygarts Valley Ministries Church at Beverly.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 1:30 PM. The Rev. Curlie Ray, Jr. will officiate and interment will follow at the Brick Church Cemetery at Huttonsville, WV.
