In Loving Memory of Dana Lynn Rife 1959-2010
Dana left this world unexpectedly and prematurely on February 6th peacefully in her sleep. Dana was a lover of life and living for the moment. She shunned material objects and instead placed value on relationships with her family, many friends and beloved pets. Dana was born in Chicago, Illinois on Dec. 21st 1959 to Elaine and Ernest McReynolds. She spent her formative years in Evansville, IN. and has two surviving siblings, Darlene Shotwell and Daryl McReynolds. Dana and Darlene swam on a swim team together; they also loved to hang out at their brother's house with Beckie, Daryl's wife with whom they were really close. Dana married Tony Cody in 1977 and had a daughter Michelle Lynn Cody (now White) at the tender age of 17. Despite her many obstacles in life she was always a wonderful mother and provided Michelle with all of the joys of childhood. Later they reflected that they grew up together in many ways and had an extra special relationship due to their close proximity in age. Dana was the mom that all of Michelle's friends coveted, she was always up for a good time and together they spent many fun filled days sunning themselves at Cramer's and Wesselman lake, roller skating at Burdett park and watching fireworks and speed boats on the Ohio River. Dana was always looking out for others and took in many of Michelle's friends and treated them as her own. She also loved her animals and always had an open home to wayward stray cats Michelle would bring home. She is preceded in death by Snowball, Rocky, and later Sheba, her much loved black chow. Dana and Michelle moved to Lakeland Florida in the early 1990's to start a new life. Despite missing her family in Evansville, Dana thrived in Florida and loved going to the many beaches and lakes in the area. She met and married Steven Rife and they spent 13 fun filled years together partying with their many friends and riding Harley Davidson's off into the sunset. Dana loved Harleys and the biker lifestyle of living for today like there is no tomorrow. Dana and Steve moved to Ruskin Florida, and spent several years living next to a lake close to her work at B&M Precision. She enjoyed the freedom of living outside of big cities and reveled in bonfires in her front lawn. Many parties and much fun were had by her plethora of friends in the area. Dana was always someone you could call to lift your spirits and leave your daily troubles behind. She offered a ready smile, infectious laugh, and no nonsense attitude and never turned away a friend or family member in need. Her selflessness, giving and open nature made her a people magnet and she will be deeply missed by many near and far. In addition to her loving sister Darlene (husband John) Shotwell of Evansville, IN, she leaves many of nieces and nephews she adored: Robbie, David, Corey and Amber Fisher, Ashley Shotwell and Megan Shotwell, Carl and Kyle McReynolds (children of Becky Dill and Darryl McReynolds). Her daughter Michelle and her husband Randy White gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Charlotte Ainsley White on November 13th 2009 in Portland Oregon (where they reside), Dana's first and only grandchild. Dana visited Charlotte in December 2009 and reveled in her new role as grandma. She will be deeply missed. Though Dana has left this earthly plane of existence her spirit lives on in the hearts and memories of too many people to list. She had so many dear and beloved friends in Ruskin and many more in Evansville. In memory of Dana we ask that all who loved her please go online to the guestbook and send a note of remembrance about the fun times you had together so that we as the family may reminisce and baby Charlotte will know her grandmother for the wonderful, giving, loving, and very special person she was and continues to be in spirit. A celebration of Dana's life has been held in Ruskin and will be held in Evansville, Indiana on Saturday February 13th at the Weinbach Turonis Pizza Parlor at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers please bring pictures and memories of Dana to share. You may reach Michelle at pscheee@gmail.com