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Green Today
By the People, for the People
Green Community Holds Vigil for Beloved Pastor's Son
Samuel Rife, 17, tragically passed away in a road accident over the weekend.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:09pm
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The Green community comes together in a candlelit vigil to mourn the loss of a beloved local teen and support his grieving family.Green TodayThe Green community is coming together tonight at 7 p.m. for a candlelight vigil at the Green Central Park Amphitheater to remember Samuel Rife, the 17-year-old son of local pastor J. Harlen Rife and his wife Madeline. The vigil will be led by Pastor David Weyrick and include music to honor Samuel's memory.
Why it matters
The Rife family is deeply involved in the Green community, with the parents active in the Methodist church's outreach programs. Samuel's sudden passing has left the entire town heartbroken, and the vigil is an opportunity for neighbors, friends, and community members to grieve together and support the family during this difficult time.
The details
According to Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin, Samuel died in a road accident on Saturday. The family has started a GoFundMe page that has already raised over $5,000 of the $9,000 goal, with plans to donate the funds to support the Family Support Specialists program at Green City Schools in Samuel's memory. Samuel was known as a passionate volunteer at local food distribution events in the Akron and Canton areas.
- The vigil is scheduled for tonight, April 19, 2026, at 7 p.m.
- Samuel Rife passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2026.
The players
J. Harlen Rife
The pastor of the Greensburg United Methodist Church and Samuel Rife's father.
Madeline Rife
Samuel Rife's mother.
Pastor David Weyrick
The pastor who will be leading the vigil for Samuel Rife.
Rocco Yeargin
The mayor of Green, Ohio, who called the Rife family "a pillar of the community".
What they’re saying
“We are heartbroken. The entire community is heartbroken for the Rifes. As a community we are used to coming together for joys, and its critical to come together in support for grief. We can't say anything to take away the pain. But everyone at the vigil will have had their own relationship with Samuel, as a teacher, neighbor, friend, a member of a baseball team. Everyone is grieving in their own special way.”
— Rocco Yeargin, Mayor of Green, Ohio
What’s next
The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds to support the Family Support Specialists program at Green City Schools in Samuel's memory.
The takeaway
This tragic loss has deeply impacted the tight-knit Green community, who are rallying together to support the Rife family and honor Samuel's memory through the vigil and charitable donations. The community's outpouring of grief and desire to come together in this difficult time reflects the strong bonds that tie this Ohio town together.
