Bertrand D. Rice, 95, of Morrison, IL, died Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Resthave Home, Morrison.
Bert was born June 13, 1921, in Coleta, IL, to William J. and Mabel J. (Vaughn) Rice. He was educated in the Malvern Grade School and was a graduate of Lyndon High School in Lyndon, IL. Bert served in the U. S. Army Air Corps 390th Bomb Squadron/13th Air Force serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He first married Barbara J. Wooster on July 5, 1947, in Sterling, IL. She died October 16, 2004. He later married Vonda M. Shank in June 2010 in Coleta. Bert was engaged in farming in the Genesee Township and Malvern areas from 1946 to 1972. He then was employed by General Electric in Morrison, retiring in 1979. Bert was a member of Coleta United Methodist Church in Coleta. He was a former member of the Morrison VFW Post #8281 and the Disabled American Veterans. Bert enjoyed camping, woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Vonda; three daughters, Robin Dibble of Morrison; Dawn (Brian) Dewey of Sterling; Debra (Jeff) Maxson of Morrison; two sons, Laurence “Lonnie” (Beth) Rice of Morrison; Daryl (Susan) Rice of Belfair, WA; one stepson, Ron (Nancy) Shank of Morrison; eight grandchildren, Justin Dibble, Joshua Dibble, Stormi Armstrong, Kasey (Tyler) Nelson, Leah Scott, Noah Scott, Steven (Jenett) Rice, Larry (Kristy) Rice, and Sarah (Mitchell) Andreina; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara; one stepson, Daniel Shank; four sisters, Gladys Courtwright, Alice Hoagland, Margery Forder, and Mildred Ogan; three brothers, Norman, Malcolm, and William Rice; and one stepsister, Marie.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
OFFICIATING: Pastor Hyewon “Sophie” Hyon, Pastor of Coleta United Methodist Church, Coleta, IL
VISITATION: 9:30 a.m., until the time of the service, Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Oak Knoll Memorial Cemetery, Sterling, IL
MEMORIAL: Hospice of the Rock River Valley