Donald E. Rice

Donald E. Rice, 85, passed away at 12:01 am Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at his home at Big Barbee Lake. He was born on October 11, 1929 to Charles and Faye Rice in Lima, Ohio. He worked for IHC in Fort Wayne as an engineer for twenty five years and ten years in the Detroit area for various automotive engineering firms, traveling from his home in Fort Wayne to Detroit weekly. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and family time at the home on the lake. He was a big John Wayne fan and would watch his movies over and over along with The Virginian and Gunsmoke. His nickname was “The Duke” and many of his friends only knew him as Duke. One room at his home is completely decorated with John Wayne memorabilia. He raised five children with his former wife, Alice in Fort Wayne. Rick (Anne) Rice, Jeff (Tammy) Rice, Pamela (Eric) Lehman, Doug (Nancy) Rice and Brian (Sandi) Rice. Eleven surviving grandchildren, Gabriel, Misty (Adam) Mueller, Christopher, Cameron, Chandler, Matt, Hunter, Karlie Rice, Katie (Mathew) Kindness, Ashlee (Andrew) Bartlett and Autumn Lehman and nine great grandchildren, Elijah, Jeremiah, Nolan Kindness, Remington, Nova Bartlett, Tori, Austin, Carter Jefferies, Joseph, Caydence Mueller. Also surviving is a brother Al (Anne) Rice in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Preceding him in death is a brother and a granddaughter Nicole Lehman. On June 18, 1982, he married Marilyn Harmes and was a loving father to her two children, Lori (Todd) Scandling and Scott Harmes and Beth Harmes. He was grandfather to Mollie (Greg) Bryant, Nick and Thomas Harmes and his fiancée, Jocelyn Brosamer, Emilee Harmes and her fiancée Kyle Blevins, Colton Scandling, Katelyn Scandling and Adam Crispo, great grandchildren Ava and Noah Bryant and Evayla, daughter of Katelyn. A funeral service will be at 3:00 pm Thursday, September 3, 2015 in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with Pastor Glen Francis officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation hours will be from 1:00 – 3:00 pm Thursday, September 3, 2015 in the funeral chapel. Preferred memorials may be given to Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 02, Albion, Indiana 46701 or the Animal Shelter of donor’s choice.