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Michele Renee Riffel, 37, of Dallas, died unexpectedly Wednesday while visiting her parents, Darrel and Betty Riffel, in Woodward, Okla.
A native of Woodward, she attended high school in Woodward and Guymon before graduating from Edmond Memorial High School in 1987. After graduating high school, Riffel attended Oklahoma State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy in 1991. Upon graduation from OSU, she moved to Dallas where she lived until her death.
While in Dallas, she worked as a social worker for Parkland Hospital, a senior contract administrator for Bombardier Aerospace and a paralegal for the Dallas law firm of Butler and Hosch.
Riffel was a member of the White Rock Community Church of Dallas and a strong supporter of children’s ministries. She was actively involved in CASA, a program helping foster children. She enjoyed her pets, camping and playing softball. She was active in the North Texas Women’s Sports Association, serving as assistant commissioner from 1998-2000 and commissioner from 2000-2004. Riffel was instrumental in bringing the 2004 Gay World Series to Dallas.
Riffel was preceded in death by her uncle, Randy Hawthorne, and her uncle and aunt Gerald and Sue Riffel. She is survived by her parents, Darrel and Betty Riffel of Woodward; two brothers, Craig Riffel and wife Katresa of Enid, and Chris Riffel and wife Amber of Woodward. She is also survived by a nephew, Colburn Riffle of Enid and niece Kamber Riffel of Enid; several uncles, aunts and cousins; and a large number of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1111 Downs Avenue, in Woodward, Okla. She will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery in Woodward.
There will be a memorial service at White Rock Community Church, 9353 Garland Road, on Sept. 2 at 2 p.m.
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Jack Fita, also known as “Cabaret”, age 36, died Aug. 1 in Atlanta, Ga. He is survived by his partner of 11 years, Mark Edge.
A memorial service was held Aug. 5 at Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, August 25, 2006.