Support the Rife Family After Tragic Loss

I have been fortunate enough to know Eric and Erin Rife since 2014 and to be a part of Beck's work family with Eric.

I would like to try to help the Rife family as they are making their way through the trauma of losing their young son Payne this past Saturday, March 29th.

When I reached out to Eric and Erin to ask if I could create a Go Fund Me to help with final expenses, they struggled to tell me what dollar amount I could post. They don’t want to ask for too much, I could feel that. The first thing they told me about was all the things that had already been done to help them. The funeral home is donating cremation services, telling Erin that a mother should never have to bury her son.

They have received beautiful comments and acts of love and support from so many friends and coworkers who’ve shown them how much they care about the Rife’s.

Amid the chaos of the events that unfolded, many local agencies and first responders arrived immediately to try to help. More than asking for anything, Eric and Erin primarily wanted to tell me about the impact these men and women had on them during the most awful day of their lives, and that they want to find ways and to fund ways to show their gratitude to them.

While $5000 will help them with final expenses, anything over and above the amount needed for that will go to provide thank you gifts to individuals at the following agencies who showed such compassion:

- Mechanicsburg PD. There was a police officer who truly touched Eric’s heart in the way he related to Eric, stood by his side, followed him through the house, and stuck by him the entire day. This officer shared with Eric that he himself had lost his son just three years ago.

- Clark County Sheriff’s deputies and Morefield Township EMT’s. These first responders went above and beyond to come to the aid of the entire Rife family. There was a detective who stayed and prayed with the family before leaving Saturday.

- Careflight Air Ambulance crew. These individuals revived Payne twice enroute to the hospital trying to make sure Eric and Erin would be able to see their child one last time to say goodbye.

- Miami Valley Hospital floor nurse. This compassionate woman touched Erin’s heart in the way she gently cared for Payne as she was treating him, speaking to him in a gentle loving tone, letting him know what she was doing with each touch and with each movement.

- Finally, they will donate all proceeds over and above those used for Payne’s final expenses and for the thank you’s to those responders who helped them so much Saturday to Suicide Prevention 988. Eric and Erin want to share how vital this service is and encourage anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts to please reach out to someone, please don’t be afraid. Reach out to a friend or loved one or please call 988. There are trained caregivers on the other end of that call that are there to help.

They would like this link shared as well: www.988lifeline.org.

Payne Michael Rife was born April 4th, 2003 and would be 22 years old this coming Friday. Eric and Erin would like to share that Payne struggled with bipolar disorder for many years. He also aspired to be a Sheriff’s Deputy so he could help people. Because shame is one of the biggest barriers of treatment for bipolar disorder, they want to make sure Payne’s desire to help others continues by bringing awareness to this disease, in the hopes it might help others who are struggling. They have also donated several vital organs of Payne’s; corneas, nerves, bone, skin and blood vessels. It is so important to the Rife’s that something good come of this tragedy.

If you feel so compelled, any donation will go a long way in helping the Rife’s with Payne’s final expenses and to also share forward for suicide prevention.

God Bless.