Carie
Carie L. Rife
Carie Rife passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born July 27, 1956 in Allegan, Michigan, the daughter of Lloyd “Bud”and Ruth (McCafferty) Chapman. Carie graduated in 1974 from Otsego High School. She was employed as a bus driver for the Otsego School System for many years and was known for all the time and energy she put into working for the ACRDC Head Start Program. She was a skilled roller skater , taught roller skating and participated in competitive roller skating events. She enjoyed creating beautiful things while knitting, crocheting, flower arranging, and other craft projects. Carie liked her animals and loved her family, especially her grandchildren and shared her many talents with them.
She is survived by her husband, Jerrold Rife; children, Lloyd Chapman (Jennifer) of Otsego, Jason Chapman (Allie) of Otsego and Ruth Marie Chapman (Jon Prolo) of Plainwell, grandchildren, Rori, Hannah, Asher, Abigail, Finn, Skylar, Abby, Libby and Alana her mother Ruth Chapman of Otsego , brother Allen Chapman of Otsego, step children Char and Robbie, brother-in-law Dell LaFountain and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and by her sister Alane LaFountain.
Friends may visit with Carie’s family from 1:00 pm until the time of the memorial celebration at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego with Celebrant Bill Rose officiating.
Contributions in memory of Carie may be made to the Allegan County Animal Shelter, 2293 33rd Street, Allegan, Michigan 49010 . Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Carie L. Rife
Condolence Messages
Sarah Volker-Clemens
February 13, 2020 at 11:52 am
May loving memories bring you all comfort and peace ~ Carie was a sweet soul! She left her greatest treasures here on earth to carry out her legacy.
Reply
Penny Baker
February 13, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Ruthie, we are so sorry!
Lark & Penny
Reply
Jenni (Smith) Livingston
February 13, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Ruth and all of Caries family, I am so sorry for your loss. I sure miss seeing you at hardings!
Reply
Ruby and Jeremy Rogers
February 13, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Carrie was my son’s bus driver almost 9 years ago she was sooo sweet, and always so friendly, and loved the kids she picked up and showed compassion to her job and families she interacted with.
Thank you Ms. Caries family for sharing her with our community for so many years may God comfort you all at this time.
Reply
Jane Kling
February 13, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Jay and Allie and Skylar,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May many memories and special times bring you not and comfort as the days go by.
Jane and Dave Kling
Reply
Diana
February 13, 2020 at 1:32 pm
So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences
Reply
Lori Burrows
February 13, 2020 at 3:10 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. Carie had a loving way about her and a very heartfelt soul. She will be missed.
Reply
Hannah Rae
February 13, 2020 at 3:15 pm
I love you Grandma meow we all love you and we all miss you a lot and thank you for teaching me a lot of things and I loved when you and I colored together also thank you for teaching how to crochet When I got the hang of it I was glad that you taught me. I think you were a good person to everyone especially to people you didn’t know and none of us will forget you and we never will forget you and we loved you so much and we cried a lot when we heard that you died. I will never forget you and I will never stop loving you grandma meow and all of us will have something to say about how you were a good grandma and how nice you were to people and your family and how you were and what you did and when you did amazing things that we will never forget how nice you were to people you didn’t know at all and we all love you grandma meow and we will miss you a lot.
Reply
Carpenters
February 13, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Ruth, Jerry, Lloyd, Jason and Ruthie,
We were so sorry to hear of Carie’s death on Tuesday. She was a wonderful person and we felt as if she was a part of our family as Ben’s bus driver for so many years. She was a friend as well to all of us. She was always so kind and went out of her way for Ben. We will miss her greatly. Thank you all for sharing her with us.
With our deepest sympathy,
Don, Joyce and Ben Carpenter
Reply
Rori Elizabeth
February 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Sue was a great grandma. She loved her children and she loved her grandchildren to. She did her best to stay alive for us as possible. She will miss us and watch us grow up and still be by our side watch us be a good mom and dad she will be watching with other’s family members and cheer us on and what my father told me its hard and she lovesus no matter what time we are she will be in our hearts forever. We love you grandma meow.❤we will miss you so much. 🙁
Reply
Lynette Cree
February 13, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Ruth and family, So sorry to hear of Carie’s passing. She will suffer no more. I remember when I babysat the kids on your nights out. That was many years ago, but fond thoughts. May strength be with you and your family.
Reply
Kathi Fuss
February 13, 2020 at 6:34 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this hard time, Ruth and family!
Reply
Carol
February 13, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Our deepest condolences to Grandma Ruth, Ruthie, and the rest of Carrie’s family. Carrie was such a special person. Carrie made most everybody she came in contact with feel like they were part of her family. She will be deeply missed. The Day family,
Rex,Carol, Ann, Brittany, and Brandon
Reply
Marcie Meisling
February 13, 2020 at 8:44 pm
My heart broke when I heard the news of Carie’s passing, as she was such a blessing to our family when our kids were young.
Carie was always smiling when she came to pick up Zack.; and I remember on his first day of school- (at 3 years old)- I walked him to her, sobbing, and she sweetly reassured me that he would be just fine, and that I would be too. She was right❤️
Each day she would tell me how she just loved him, he’s such a sweet boy. She also LOVED seeing Gracie and I waiting in the grass for her! It was the highlight of the day for us, seeing Miss Carie’s bus come!
This world will not be the same without you Carie. You will be forever loved, and missed- but never ever forgotten. Thank you for being such a blessing to so many of us- we love you!❤️
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
February 13, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Oh Ruth and Carrie’s family, I am so sorry to hear of Carrie’s passing! I remember Carrie and I were childhood friends and classmates all the way through school. Even though we weren’t as close in our high school years I always remember she was so kind, and sweet just like her momma! I always asked her momma how Carrie was when I would see her and always asked her to tell Carrie I said hello. I know Carrie will be missed deeply but she is in God’s care and is well now. R.I.P. Carrie and am sending a lot of love and prayers to your sweet sweet momma and your family.
Reply
Bob and Loree Bagley
February 14, 2020 at 6:23 am
Peace and strength to you and your family Ruth!
Reply
Elisha
February 14, 2020 at 10:22 am
We’re so sorry to hear of this loss. Are prayers and love is with you all at this time.
Reply
Debbie and Tim Anderson
February 14, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Condolences for the entire Chapman Family: My heart aches for each and everyone of you. I know how much Carie was loved as a Daughter, Wife, Mom, and Grandmother. I remember growing up next to Carie’s Grandparent’s home and playing with Carie on many occasions when her family visited her grandparents. She always had a love for animals and I’m sure took many strays in. I remember on one of Carie’s birthdays we spent the night with her and seemed like we ventured out to go to the Hasting’s fair with Ruth on that birthday stay over and just about ran out of gas. I don’t think we made it to the fair because we turned around and came back, but we had fun just giggling and being girls. We went through high school together then all kind of went our separate ways after graduation. After many years we were pulled back together working at the Otsego Public School’s transportation department. Carie was a driver and I was an aide on the buses and was fortunate enough to get to go on some field trips together and reminisce about the good ole days growing up. She was always so proud of her family and being a grandmother brought much joy to her. Jerry, Ruth, Jason and family, Lloyd and family and Ruthie and family you have my very deepest sympathy with your loss. May God wrap each of you in his arms and give you strength, comfort and peace in the upcoming days. With Love, Deb and Tim Anderson
Reply
Carol Barnes
February 15, 2020 at 11:54 am
My condolences for your loss. I pray the lord will give you strength in the difficult days ahead.
Reply
Pete and Dee Krcatovich
February 15, 2020 at 8:38 pm
It is with much sadness that I extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Chapman family in the loss of Carie. Our paths crossed many times throughout our lifetimes. We played together as children, went to school together, graduated together, and then parted ways for many years. We were reunited in transportation at Otsego Public Schools where Carie and I worked as a team transporting special needs kids. She taught me the do’s and don’t ‘s of securing wheelchairs properly to get the kids to their destination safely. She loved the kids, and took great pride in her job. Through the years of working with her, I got to know her kids. They were her everything along with the rest of her family. Her eye lit up and a smile crossed her face when she talked of their accomplishments. My prayers go out to Jerry, Ruth, Ruthie, Lloyd, Jason, her precious grandchildren, Alan, and the many family members and friends that loved her and will deeply miss her. Rest in peace Carie.
Reply
susan Hatten
February 16, 2020 at 9:34 am
Ruth and all of Caries family, I am so sorry for your loss, I pray the lord will give you strength in the difficult days ahead.
Reply
Michelle Lewis-Vandenberg
February 18, 2020 at 12:03 am
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was always so kind and loved giving me a hard time whenever we hung out or had any choir trips. Especially the one sophomore year we stoped at Denny’s and we basically kicked a bunch of bikers out of the little private room so all of us choir students could cram in there. Your mom was always like a second mom to me. Prayers and. Great memories for all of you.
Love,
Michelle Lewis, Roxan Tony Michael(Van Den Berg)
Reply
Curt &Vicky Barrons
February 18, 2020 at 9:21 am
We are so sorry to hear about your familys loss. Hugs and loving prayers for all.
Reply
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She is survived by her husband, Jerrold Rife; children, Lloyd Chapman (Jennifer) of Otsego, Jason Chapman (Allie) of Otsego and Ruth Marie Chapman (Jon Prolo) of Plainwell, grandchildren, Rori, Hannah, Asher, Abigail, Finn, Skylar, Abby, Libby and Alana her mother Ruth Chapman of Otsego , brother Allen Chapman of Otsego, step children Char and Robbie, brother-in-law Dell LaFountain and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father and by her sister Alane LaFountain.
Friends may visit with Carie’s family from 1:00 pm until the time of the memorial celebration at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego with Celebrant Bill Rose officiating.
Contributions in memory of Carie may be made to the Allegan County Animal Shelter, 2293 33rd Street, Allegan, Michigan 49010 . Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Carie L. Rife
Condolence Messages
Sarah Volker-Clemens
February 13, 2020 at 11:52 am
May loving memories bring you all comfort and peace ~ Carie was a sweet soul! She left her greatest treasures here on earth to carry out her legacy.
Reply
Penny Baker
February 13, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Ruthie, we are so sorry!
Lark & Penny
Reply
Jenni (Smith) Livingston
February 13, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Ruth and all of Caries family, I am so sorry for your loss. I sure miss seeing you at hardings!
Reply
Ruby and Jeremy Rogers
February 13, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Carrie was my son’s bus driver almost 9 years ago she was sooo sweet, and always so friendly, and loved the kids she picked up and showed compassion to her job and families she interacted with.
Thank you Ms. Caries family for sharing her with our community for so many years may God comfort you all at this time.
Reply
Jane Kling
February 13, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Jay and Allie and Skylar,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May many memories and special times bring you not and comfort as the days go by.
Jane and Dave Kling
Reply
Diana
February 13, 2020 at 1:32 pm
So sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences
Reply
Lori Burrows
February 13, 2020 at 3:10 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family. Carie had a loving way about her and a very heartfelt soul. She will be missed.
Reply
Hannah Rae
February 13, 2020 at 3:15 pm
I love you Grandma meow we all love you and we all miss you a lot and thank you for teaching me a lot of things and I loved when you and I colored together also thank you for teaching how to crochet When I got the hang of it I was glad that you taught me. I think you were a good person to everyone especially to people you didn’t know and none of us will forget you and we never will forget you and we loved you so much and we cried a lot when we heard that you died. I will never forget you and I will never stop loving you grandma meow and all of us will have something to say about how you were a good grandma and how nice you were to people and your family and how you were and what you did and when you did amazing things that we will never forget how nice you were to people you didn’t know at all and we all love you grandma meow and we will miss you a lot.
Reply
Carpenters
February 13, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Ruth, Jerry, Lloyd, Jason and Ruthie,
We were so sorry to hear of Carie’s death on Tuesday. She was a wonderful person and we felt as if she was a part of our family as Ben’s bus driver for so many years. She was a friend as well to all of us. She was always so kind and went out of her way for Ben. We will miss her greatly. Thank you all for sharing her with us.
With our deepest sympathy,
Don, Joyce and Ben Carpenter
Reply
Rori Elizabeth
February 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Sue was a great grandma. She loved her children and she loved her grandchildren to. She did her best to stay alive for us as possible. She will miss us and watch us grow up and still be by our side watch us be a good mom and dad she will be watching with other’s family members and cheer us on and what my father told me its hard and she lovesus no matter what time we are she will be in our hearts forever. We love you grandma meow.❤we will miss you so much. 🙁
Reply
Lynette Cree
February 13, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Ruth and family, So sorry to hear of Carie’s passing. She will suffer no more. I remember when I babysat the kids on your nights out. That was many years ago, but fond thoughts. May strength be with you and your family.
Reply
Kathi Fuss
February 13, 2020 at 6:34 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this hard time, Ruth and family!
Reply
Carol
February 13, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Our deepest condolences to Grandma Ruth, Ruthie, and the rest of Carrie’s family. Carrie was such a special person. Carrie made most everybody she came in contact with feel like they were part of her family. She will be deeply missed. The Day family,
Rex,Carol, Ann, Brittany, and Brandon
Reply
Marcie Meisling
February 13, 2020 at 8:44 pm
My heart broke when I heard the news of Carie’s passing, as she was such a blessing to our family when our kids were young.
Carie was always smiling when she came to pick up Zack.; and I remember on his first day of school- (at 3 years old)- I walked him to her, sobbing, and she sweetly reassured me that he would be just fine, and that I would be too. She was right❤️
Each day she would tell me how she just loved him, he’s such a sweet boy. She also LOVED seeing Gracie and I waiting in the grass for her! It was the highlight of the day for us, seeing Miss Carie’s bus come!
This world will not be the same without you Carie. You will be forever loved, and missed- but never ever forgotten. Thank you for being such a blessing to so many of us- we love you!❤️
Reply
Marilyn Abernathy
February 13, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Oh Ruth and Carrie’s family, I am so sorry to hear of Carrie’s passing! I remember Carrie and I were childhood friends and classmates all the way through school. Even though we weren’t as close in our high school years I always remember she was so kind, and sweet just like her momma! I always asked her momma how Carrie was when I would see her and always asked her to tell Carrie I said hello. I know Carrie will be missed deeply but she is in God’s care and is well now. R.I.P. Carrie and am sending a lot of love and prayers to your sweet sweet momma and your family.
Reply
Bob and Loree Bagley
February 14, 2020 at 6:23 am
Peace and strength to you and your family Ruth!
Reply
Elisha
February 14, 2020 at 10:22 am
We’re so sorry to hear of this loss. Are prayers and love is with you all at this time.
Reply
Debbie and Tim Anderson
February 14, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Condolences for the entire Chapman Family: My heart aches for each and everyone of you. I know how much Carie was loved as a Daughter, Wife, Mom, and Grandmother. I remember growing up next to Carie’s Grandparent’s home and playing with Carie on many occasions when her family visited her grandparents. She always had a love for animals and I’m sure took many strays in. I remember on one of Carie’s birthdays we spent the night with her and seemed like we ventured out to go to the Hasting’s fair with Ruth on that birthday stay over and just about ran out of gas. I don’t think we made it to the fair because we turned around and came back, but we had fun just giggling and being girls. We went through high school together then all kind of went our separate ways after graduation. After many years we were pulled back together working at the Otsego Public School’s transportation department. Carie was a driver and I was an aide on the buses and was fortunate enough to get to go on some field trips together and reminisce about the good ole days growing up. She was always so proud of her family and being a grandmother brought much joy to her. Jerry, Ruth, Jason and family, Lloyd and family and Ruthie and family you have my very deepest sympathy with your loss. May God wrap each of you in his arms and give you strength, comfort and peace in the upcoming days. With Love, Deb and Tim Anderson
Reply
Carol Barnes
February 15, 2020 at 11:54 am
My condolences for your loss. I pray the lord will give you strength in the difficult days ahead.
Reply
Pete and Dee Krcatovich
February 15, 2020 at 8:38 pm
It is with much sadness that I extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Chapman family in the loss of Carie. Our paths crossed many times throughout our lifetimes. We played together as children, went to school together, graduated together, and then parted ways for many years. We were reunited in transportation at Otsego Public Schools where Carie and I worked as a team transporting special needs kids. She taught me the do’s and don’t ‘s of securing wheelchairs properly to get the kids to their destination safely. She loved the kids, and took great pride in her job. Through the years of working with her, I got to know her kids. They were her everything along with the rest of her family. Her eye lit up and a smile crossed her face when she talked of their accomplishments. My prayers go out to Jerry, Ruth, Ruthie, Lloyd, Jason, her precious grandchildren, Alan, and the many family members and friends that loved her and will deeply miss her. Rest in peace Carie.
Reply
susan Hatten
February 16, 2020 at 9:34 am
Ruth and all of Caries family, I am so sorry for your loss, I pray the lord will give you strength in the difficult days ahead.
Reply
Michelle Lewis-Vandenberg
February 18, 2020 at 12:03 am
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was always so kind and loved giving me a hard time whenever we hung out or had any choir trips. Especially the one sophomore year we stoped at Denny’s and we basically kicked a bunch of bikers out of the little private room so all of us choir students could cram in there. Your mom was always like a second mom to me. Prayers and. Great memories for all of you.
Love,
Michelle Lewis, Roxan Tony Michael(Van Den Berg)
Reply
Curt &Vicky Barrons
February 18, 2020 at 9:21 am
We are so sorry to hear about your familys loss. Hugs and loving prayers for all.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Name
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