John William Rice, 91, of Woodstock, Ga., and formerly of Bellefontaine and Loveland, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.
John was born Nov. 3, 1929, in Logan County to the late Charles A. Rice and Edith (Shoots) Rice. He was married to Barbara Arthur Rice, Betty (Davis) Rice and Rosemary (Bell) Rice), all predeceasing him. Also predeceasing John were brothers Paul I. Rice, Ralph A. Rice, Glenn A. Rice, sisters Lois Anne Rice Koengeter, Miriam Rice Wilcox, Ruth Rice Caldwell and Mary Rice Guckert.
John joined the Army as did all his brothers when the time came to proudly serve. He was in WWII and served in the Korean Conflict. When he returned home, he began what was to be a 45 year career with the railroad starting as a brakeman, telegrapher and rising to trainmaster. That was not his only passion as he also invested in real estate, laundromats, bars and even had his own appliance repair business. He really could fix about anything.
He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and other fraternal organizations. He never met a stranger. He loved to sit on the front porch in his rocker and wave at everyone passing by. Some would stop to talk to him, and bring him goodies from the oven or garden. His favorite thing to do was go out to eat and complain about how much it cost even when someone else was buying.
He is survived by brother Charles R. Rice of Charleston, S.C., and Esther Rice Allison of Milford, Mich.; three children John Michael Rice of Franklin, Susan Paulette Myers of Urbana; step daughter Linda Kay Davis (Armstrong) and Paul Mark (Debbie) Rice of Woodstock, Ga., with whom he made his home; six grandchildren, Melissa Rice Grote, Amy Rice, Benjamin Lewis Cartwright, Dylan Caige Myers, Jon Dante’ Armstrong and Thomas Arthur Rice. He also had many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at Bellefontaine First Christian Church on Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. Visitation will begin at noon with Pastor Kevin Greenwald officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Quincy with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.