Robert Lee Rice, 76, of E. TR 122, Tiffin, Ohio died at 1:30 pm Thursday, December 21, 2006 at his residence where he was also born. He was born on April 14, 1930 in Tiffin to the late Riley “Gilbert” and Ella (Barton) Rice. On July 8, 1950 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tiffin, he married Lucille Schetter and she survives.
Other survivors include three children, Ann (Ken) Jones of Tiffin; Janet McGee of Bloomville; and Michael (Roxanne) Rice of Sandersville, Georgia; two sisters, Evelyn Lee of Green Springs; and Frances Lepouttre of Tiffin; 12 grandchildren, Kelly (Lynn) Mitchell, William, Colleen and Natallie Jones; Devonna Rice; Melissa (Chris) Owens; Mianda, Briana, and Trevor McGee; Joshua (Elizabeth), Rebecca and Aaron Rice; 14 great grandchildren, Kristopher, Zachary, Seth, Gabrielle and Dina Mitchell; Lillyan Jones; Tyler Rice; Kalene and Ethan Holland; Susan, Lindsay, and Tayan Owens; Mickey and Royce Rice. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Carl Rice, Sr. and a grandson, Kevin Roszman.
Mr. Rice was a 1947 Columbian High School graduate. He served in the United States Army as a Master Sergeant during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana. He had retired on January 1, 1990 from Sohio/BP where he had worked for 38 years. He had been a lifelong farmer. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Captain and a Fire Prevention Officer. He served as a Clinton Township Trustee, a Building Chairman for Seneca Habitat for Humanity and he was a member of the Seneca County Antique Machinery Association.
The Funeral Mass will be officiated by Rev. James K. Say at 11:00 am on Wednesday December 27, 2006 in St. Joseph Catholic Church. The rosary will be recited 15 minutes prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Tuesday, December 26 at Traunero Funeral Home 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.
Contributions may be made to Seneca Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph Parish, or Community Hospice Care in care of Traunero Funeral Home.