Joel Leon Rife, 49, of Palatka entered the sunset of life on Saturday, November 21, 2009. He was a native of Grundy, Virginia, born Sunday, July 24, 1960 to Leon and Sally (Justice) Rife. Joel has resided in Putnam County since 1977 and on October 30, 1978, Joel entered the United States Navy at Ft. Jackson, SC., and on November 15, 1982, he was honorably discharged from active service aboard the USS John F. Kennedy at Portsmouth, VA. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Bostwick Baptist Church. Joel was formerly employed by Lion Pool Products, Gate Roofing, Magnolia Point Golf Course and was a former troop leader in Boys Scouts Troop #492. Joel enjoyed playing horseshoes, bicycling, four-wheeling, shrimping and fishing and his favorite television pastimes were Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Joel leaves to cherish his memories his devoted parents, Leon and Sally (Justice) Rife, Palatka; sons and daughter, Joel Walter Rife and Nicholas Calvin Rife, both of Bostwick; Travis Carl Rife (wife, Betsey), Palatka; Amanda Jean Rife, East Palatka; stepdaughter, Susan M. Cannon (husband, Chris), St. Augustine; Sisters, Leslie Rife Smith, Orange Park; Brittany Coulson (husband Josh), Palatka; Brothers, Jeffery Dean Rife, Green Cove Springs; Anthony Rife, Palatka; and Jonathan Rife, Hurley, VA., former wife of 25 years, Gale Rife, Bostwick; 4 grandchildren, Cassandra, Alexandra, Cheyanne King, all of St. Augustine; Jayden Rife, Palatka; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 6-8 p.m. (today) Tuesday, November 24, at the Chapel of Serenity. Services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 25th at the Chapel of Serenity with his nephew, Rev. Christopher Rife, student of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA., officiating. Interment with U. S. Navy Honors will be in the Bostwick Cemetery.