Rev. Richard L. Rice
Nov. 18, 1924-Feb. 25, 2002
Rev. Richard L. Rice, 77, of Grant Street, Niles, MI, died at 4 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, in his home. His passing was sudden, but of natural causes.
He was born on Nov. 18, 1924, in Chicago, IL, to Ennis and Florence (Conner) Rice, and was raised in Downers Grove, IL. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged as a corporal for the Military Police. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton (Illinois) College, and the bachelor of theology degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago.
His professional ministry began as he helped to establish the First Baptist Church of Oaklawn, Ill. He went on to serve pastorates at Grace Baptist Church, Mahomet, IL, First Baptist Church, South Holland, IL, Bethany Baptist Church, Billings, Mont., and Pleasant View church, Lebanon, Ind. He and Mrs. Rice retired to Niles in 1989, from where he has served as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, South Bend and Mason Baptist Church, Cassopolis, Mich. He also served an integral part of the staff of the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, both in his role as a minister and as a caregiver to families served. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Niles.
He enjoyed camping, working in his yard and shop, and traveling nationally and internationally to visit his children and grandchildren.
On May 29, 1948, at Westmont, IL, he was married to the former Shirley Riggenbach, who survives. He is also survived by their daughters, Cheryl (Rev. Leon) Hill of Tokyo, Japan, Kimberly (Paul) Kenote of West Linn, Ore., and Beth Rice (Jim) Lewis of Evanston, IL; five grandchildren; and his brothers, Ennis Rice Jr. of Chicago and Tom Rice of Spring Hill, FL. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Rice.
Funeral services for Rev. Richard L. Rice will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the First Baptist Church, Niles, with the Rev. Scott A. Goodman of church officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with a veteran’s flag presentation by American Legion Post #26 commander John McLaughlin. The family will receive friends in the Halbritter Funeral Home Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Rev. Rive may be made to the Conservative Baptist International Mission fund, 1501 West Mineral Avenue, Littleton, CO 80120.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown