R ev. Donald Ray Rice

Age 93, of Paris, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 9, 2019. He was born July 20, 1925 in San Diego, CA to Herbert Ray and Iva Lucille (Clow) Rice. He was an ordained minister having served at Paris Israel Lutheran from 1968-1987, St. Paul's Lutheran in Ravenna from 1948-1949, Sheridan Drive Lutheran in Buffalo, NY from 1951-1953, Hope Lutheran in Miami, FL from 1953-1956, and St. John's Lutheran in Petersburg, FL from 1956-1963, Trinity Lutheran Church in Marion, OH from 1963-1968 and was an interim pastor for St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Malvern, OH form 1987-1989. 1987 to present day, he is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin. He was a 1943 graduate of Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, CA, 1945 graduate of Los Angeles Jr. College, received his bachelors of arts in 1947 from Capitol University in Columbus, OH, graduated from the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in 1951 and was ordained in February of 1951, in his home congregation, the Good Shepherd Lutheran of San Diego, CA where he was also confirmed as a child. He also served on many boards including Lutheran Bible Camp, Lutheran Memorial Camp, Camp Frederick and St. Luke's Lutheran Community.

He is survived by a wife of 37 years, Rachel Faye (Myers) (Reed) Rice whom he married July 26, 1981; 3 daughters, Mary Morgan of Minerva, Hope (Slater) Raub of Louisville, Martha (Jeremy) Lynch of San Diego, CA; 4 sons, Paul (Meg) Rice of Cheney, Kansas, Mark (Joyce) Rice of Elyria, James (Debora) Rice of West Unity, OH, John Rice of Alvordton, OH; 3 Step sons, John Reed of Paris, James (Jacki) Reed of Alliance, Dennis Reed of Paris., a sister, June Benson of San Diego, CA; 22 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Miriam (Eibling) Rice in 1977; a daughter, Faith Hall, a sister, Carol Rice Saylor.

Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church in New Franklin with Bishop Abraham Allende and Pastor Diana Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva and an hour prior at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.

"Living for Jesus"