Lewis “Demp,” “Louie,” “Dempsey,” “Uncle Demp,” Rice, 83 of Coleta, IL, died Wednesday, August, 26, 2015, at his home, after an extended illness.
He was born March 9, 1932, in Brickeys, St. Francis Township, Lee County, AR, the son of William Detroit “W. D.” and Mary Lou (Brock) Rice. Lewis lived near Turkey Scratch, and West Helena, AR. He served in the Army, stationed in Germany. In the mid-1950’s, Lewis moved to the Sterling, IL, area. He met Lucille Jane Beggs at Lawrence Brothers Co., and they married May 22, 1959. Lewis retired from Lawrence Brothers after 41 years.
He was the original founder and last member of the Rock River Restorer Antique Car and Truck Club. Lewis enjoyed restoring antique cars, trucks, tractors, and gas pumps to their original beauty. He was a Sterling Moose Lodge member since 1975 and helped in cooking fish for more than 18 years.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille Jane Rice; special nephews, James Rice and Carroll Crawford; sister-in-law, Peggy (Donald) Beswick of Morrison, IL; nephew, Robert (Pam) McEvoy of Morrison and Robert’s daughters, Ashleigh and Adrianna McEvoy of Prophetstown, IL; nephew, Jeremy McEvoy of Hastings, MN, and his daughter, Jeryn McEvoy; nephew, Donovan (Lindy) Beswick of Norman, OK, and their children, Bennett and Violet Beswick; brother-in-law, Timothy (Sonja) McEvoy and their son, Raymond McEvoy; many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; numerous other relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Frederic Lihue Rice and Dora L. Gillmore; and his brothers and sisters, James “Jim,” Chester “Chink” or “Chet,” Walter “Boose,” William “Noel,” Alice Jean, Bessie, Hazel, and Neomi in infancy.
Visitation will be Friday, August 28, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls, IL.
Memorial service will be Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Reverend Sophia Hoya, Pastor of Coleta United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial with full military honors will follow at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling, IL.