Harry J. Rice, age 75, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away Friday, March 29, 2019 at his residence. He was born July 23, 1943 in Boca Raton, Florida, the son of Harry A. and Doris (Catterton) Rice. He married Linda Rohrer on August 20, 1967 and she survives.
Harry and his wife, Linda, began HJ Rice and Associates Realty in 1973 and it is still in business to the present day. He was a graduate of LHS, class of 1961. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he graduated with his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education and completed classes towards his doctoral degree. He taught school in Greenville, Illinois and at Bridgeport High School. In 1972, he became the Principal of Bridgeport High School and eventually Red Hill High School, where his teachers and staff were of upmost importance to him. He retired from education in 1994. He was actively involved with the Frontier Community College, where he worked in administration. Harry and Linda owned and operated the Candle Lite Restaurant in Lawrenceville, Illinois for approximately seven years. His memberships included: Elks, Retired Teachers of Illinois Education Association, Oak Meadow Country Club in Evansville, Indiana, Lawrence County Country Club, IDC, Lawrence County Chamber, and the Harmony Society in Vincennes, Indiana. He served on the Peoples National Bank and Old National Bank Boards, as well as the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Board. As a child, he was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, he then later transferred his membership to First United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; one son, Brady J. Rice and wife, Nicole, of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one daughter, Jennifer Guzman and husband, John, of Evansville, Indiana; one brother, Robert ‘Bo’ Rice and wife, Theresa, of Washington Court House, Ohio; one brother-in-law, John Rohrer and his wife, Sherri, of Lafayette, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Samuel J. Rice, Hannah J. Rice, Michelle Brickner Bishop, Jennifer Brickner Royster, Gabriel Guzman, Victoria Guzman, and Cecilia Guzman; as well as special cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday, April 05, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church on 12th Street in Lawrenceville, Illinois. A private burial will be conducted. Memorial donations may be made to the following organizations in Harry’s memory: Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church, Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.
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