John A. Rifenberrick, lifelong resident of Fisher, passed away at his home on September 20, 2019. He was 91 years of age.
John was born in Fisher on September 1, 1928, the youngest of five children to the late Hudson Monroe and Myrna Pearl (Sommerville) Rifenberrick. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
After John left school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Korean War with an armored tank division as a crewman. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class in 1952. He worked as a heavy equipment / crane operator for C & K Coal Company before he retired.
In November 1954, he married the former Donna K. Graybill. Together they enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage and building a life and home in Fisher. She survives. He attended the Millcreek Presbyterian Church in Fisher. John loved the outdoors and you could usually find him riding around on his 4-wheeler with his dog, Bo. He liked hunting, playing cards, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Moose in Clarion and the National Rifle Association. John was an avid hunter.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by his son, Steven “Todd” Rifenberrick, of Fisher; his step-mother, Violet Rifenberrick of Fryburg; a brother-in-law, Ken (Harlean) Graybill, and sister-in-law, Peggy (Jack) Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, William (as an infant), Hudson “Clair” Rifenberrick, Kay Dobson, and Gerry Durso.
Memorial gifts may be made the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion PA 16214 (www.cfvna.org).
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory in Clarion. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Millcreek Presbyterian Church in Fisher with Rev. Randy Evans, Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice Chaplain, officiating. Military honors will be accorded at that time by the Funeral Honor Guard of Clarion American Legion Post 66. Interment will be in Millcreek Presbyterian Cemetery.
Friends and family may send online condolences, order flowers and memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.
