Starr Norma Rife

Starr Norma Rife, 63, of Portage, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at her home in Portage.

She was born May 31, 1962, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Donald L. Barden and Norma A. (Newell) Barden.

Starr was active in many organizations throughout her life. She loved to volunteer and serve her beloved community. She was a key member of the Paw Paw Lions Club. She served as the sight chair for the eye-glasses program. She won many awards, including Lion of the Year, Helen Keller Award, Doc (Barr) Knights for Vision Award and the Charles Weir Site Conservation Fellow Award. Starr was also a proud Blue Star Mother and earned the Military Shining Star Mother of the Year Award. Starr loved her family and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her beloved husband, David "Chad" Rife; sons, Ryan (Melea) Rife and David (Amanda) Rife III; daughter, Mahriah Ricketts; grandchildren, Tyler Duncan, Ryleigh Rife, Kara Turncock, Logan Turncock, Gavin Rife, Hunter Rife, Jonathan Rife, Abel Rife, Sadie Rife, Aidan Ricketts, River Ricketts and Tristan Commissaris; great-grandson, Andreas Huicochea; brothers, Robin (Sandy) Barden and Blaze (Darr) Barden and sisters, Dawn (Greg) Thomas and Roxanne Barden.

Starr was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Paige Barden.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw. A Celebration of Life Service will commence at 1:00 p.m. with Fran Grabowski officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the Paw Paw Lions Club Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paw Paw Lions Club Sight Fund, 277 County Road 655, Paw Paw or the McGowan-Johnson Post #68 to purchase Ballistic Shields (Operation Shield) for the Paw Paw Village Police Department, 115 N. Niles Street, Paw Paw.