Donald Arthur Rief

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 30, 2020, Mr. Donald Arthur Rief, age 79 of Marion, set sail on his final journey home to be with his Lord at his residence with his loving wife by his side. The son of the late Albert Edward Rief and Anna Prinz Rief, he was born on August 29, 1940 in West Point, Nebraska.

A devout member of Hicks Chapel Baptist Church, Don loved the Lord. His greatest desire in life was to see souls saved. Retiring from Ford Motor Company after twenty-five years of dedicated service, he was a proud United States Navy veteran who enjoyed camping and was very passionate about sailing and boating, generally. A loving husband, father, brother and grandfather, Don loved nothing more than being able to spend time and make precious memories with his family, whom he loved dearly.

Preceding Don in death in addition to his parents are his brother, Bob Rief, and sister, Jeanette Kroupa.

Those Don leaves behind to cherish his precious memories include his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Virginia “Jackie” Washburn Rief; along with his two sons Terry Rief (Jennifer) and David M. Rief (Erin). He also leaves behind one brother, Jerry Rief (Nancy), and one sister, Nancy Grovijohn (Jim), as well as six granddaughters: Taylor, Summer, Greenlee, Kohlman, Raylen, and Wrenn.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 03, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service, with the Reverend Chad Wise officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M., one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, those who make memorial donations in Don’s memory are asked to consider either the World Missionary Press, P.O. Box 120, New Paris Indiana 46553, www. wmpress.org; or McDowell East Gideons Camp, P.O. Box 1166, Marion, North Carolina 28752.