Roy E. Rice

Roy E. Rice, age 78, of Uhrichsville died Tuesday, March 26, 2013 in the care of Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia surrounded by his loving family.

A son of the late Roland and Opal (Huff) Rice, Roy was born at Dover, Ohio on March 4, 1935.

A 1953 graduate of Dover High School, Roy furthered his education at Fenn and Kent State Universities. Professionally, Roy served as a draftsman and Senior Design Engineer for Warner & Swasey, Ruger Equipment and Flo-Tork ultimately retiring in 1994.

On June 5, 1971, Roy married the former June Spring and together the couple raised five children.

Roy was an active member of the First Moravian Church at Uhrichsville where he previously served as President of the Board of Trustees, an Elder, and a Diener. He also was a former member of the Tuscarawas County YMCA and played an active role as a leader in the Indian Guides and Indian Princesses programs. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and woodworking and later in life spent time with his grandchildren, working on the computer, watching birds, and working in his flower gardens.

In addition to his wife of 41 years, Roy is survived by his five children, Amy (Adam) Ritchie of Columbus, Terrie (Bryon) Bradshaw of Dover, Cheryl (Eric) Lautzenheiser of New Philadelphia, Gene Rice of Dover, and Lisa (Tom) Smith of Adrian, Michigan.

A sister Karen (Walter) McPherson of Newcomerstown, 11 grandchildren, Jesse, Brook, Elijah, Micayla, Drew, Andrew, Marissa, Todd, Zach, Amber, and Taylor; a great-granddaughter, Audrey and a great-grandson, Aiden complete the family.

In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Rice and Betty Rice.

The family will receive guests on Friday, March 29, 2013 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Rev. William Surber will lead a celebration of Roy’s life on Saturday at 10:00 AM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in the Gnadenhutten Clay-Union Cemetery.

Following the burial, all are invited to share a meal with the family in the Social Hall of the First Moravian Church 315 North Water Street, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

Memorial Contributions in Roy’s name may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to the First Moravian Church 315 North Water Street, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.