Charles S Rice, Sr.

Charles Stephen Rice, Sr., 92, of Reasnor, died on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at his home.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 25, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  Following a burial in Monroe the family invites you to join them for a light lunch at the Wolfe Den in Reasnor.  Memorials to the Newton YMCA may be left at the funeral home.  

Charles, the son of William and Gertrude (Bloodsworth) Rice, was born on March 5, 1927 in rural Marion County.  He grew up and attended school in Harvey.  Charles served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII from April of 1945 to August of 1946.  He was united in marriage with Dixie Hummel on July 24, 1961 in Bethlehem, Missouri.  They made their home in Des Moines, Beardstown, Illinois, and then in Reasnor.  Charles was an Iron Worker and owned and operated Capital City Erectors for over 20 years, retiring in 1990.

Charles enjoyed having fun and was affectionately known as “Good Time Charlie”. He liked fishing, camping, playing pool, and fixing up wrecked cars.  Charles was a competitive cribbage player and also enjoyed playing roulette, blackjack, and Skipbo. Charles’ favorite past time was working in his vegetable garden. 

Charles is survived by his wife, Dixie Rice of Reasnor; children, Deena (Steve) Ellerbusch of South Elgin, Illinois, Charles “Steve” Rice, Jr. (Krista Gulling) of Clarksville, Arkansas, and Rebecca “Becky” Soderblom (Bill Udelhoven) of Reasnor; his grandchildren, Shantell Rice (Curtis Masterson) of New Virginia, Brandon (Jessica) Soderblom of Newton, Derek Rice (Tara Renaud) of Reasnor, Zachary “Zach” (Lorna) Soderblom of Marshville, North Carolina, Andrew Rice (Shawna Campbell) of Clarksville, Arkansas, Ashlee Ellerbusch (Brad Ginther) of Tuscola, Illinois, Paul Ellerbusch of Chicago, Illinois, and Abbigail “Abbi” Hartgers (Mark Bruxvoort) of Reasnor; 8 great-grandchildren, Chase, Jaycee, Peyton, Oliva, Gunner, Daniel, Athena, and Waylon; and his sister-in-law, Velma Rice of Newton.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Theodore “Teddy” Rice; grandson, Bret Rice; his brothers, Theodore, William, and Dave Rice; and sisters, Sarah Slocum and Viola Abraham.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles S Rice, Sr., please visit our floral store.