Jan. 1, 1952 — March 28, 2019

Daniel Lee “Danny” Rife, 67, of Dowagiac, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2019, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Christian Services will be at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 17, 2019, at First Christian Church, 121 Oak St. Dowagiac, Michigan 49047, with Pastor Guy Biddle officiating.

A celebration of life will occur immediately following the service at the Dowagiac VFW located at 472 E. Division St. Dowagiac MI 99047.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family, in care of Heidi Behnke PO Box 154 Dowagiac MI 49047. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at clarkch.com.

Danny was born Jan. 1, 1952, to Floyd and Dorothy (Westjohn) Rife. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1970. Danny proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975. Also known as “Pizza Dan,” he owned Danny’s Dugout. He worked for Jessup Door Company in Dowagiac for many years and was on the safety team while working at National Copper. Danny loved sports, was an avid Detroit Tigers and Lions fan and enjoyed coaching Dowagiac women’s softball. Danny was soft spoken with a generous heart. Most of all he loved his friend’s family and was an animal lover. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Danny is survived by his siblings: Linda Townsend, Kim Kyle, Anna Burdick and Mark Burdick; step-mother Pat Rife; nieces Lisa Gerike, Gracie Townsend and Melissa Townsend, and Brittny MayField; and dear friend Heidi Behnke. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jared Foster, brother Doug Burdick and fiancee Peggy Livingston.