Ronald E Rice

Ronald Eugene Rice, age 78 of Elliottsburg, was found deceased at his home on September 15, 2024.  Born in Harrisburg on June 17, 1946, to the late James E. and Beatrice M. (Weibley) Rice, Ron is survived by his step-children:  Rosalie Lowe and Linda Carbaugh, both of Loysville, Liz Shanafelter and Sherry Jumper, both of Shermans Dale, and Tim Kiner of Newport; six grandchildren; too-many-to-count great grandchildren; and four siblings:  Nancy Naylor of Chambersburg, Betty Radle of Landisburg, Linda Simmons (Michael) of Etters, and George Rice of Elliottsburg.  In addition to his parents, Ron is preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 48 years, Anna M. (Bricker) Rice, who died in 2022. 

Ron graduated with the 1965 Class of West Perry High School.  He was immediately drafted into service for the United States Army.  He proudly served his country from 1965 to 1967 (in Vietnam) and earned the following medals:  Vietnam Service Medal/Drivers Badge, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Upon return to civilian life, Ron worked at Maslands (where he met his beautiful wife) and AMP, Inc.  He retired from Purina in 2012 after over 30 years of employment.

Ron was an antique tractor enthusiast. He would show his tractors at the Blain Heritage Days, Old iron Days, and Ickesburg Fall Fest. He had an old model T ford that he called "The Gitney." It always was a crowd pleaser. He enjoyed the company of the other tractor enthusiasts.  If any family members would go to the shows, he would enlist us to drive one of his tractors through the parades. When he was young he built garden tractor carts and would take family members exploring on the ridge and powerline logging roads near his home. He and his wife had a pair of pet white ducks and Ron also had a dog named "Boy." He built three garages on his property and was talented in many ways concerning home repairs.  He was also an inventor.  Ron would tinker around with things to make them work better and more efficiently. One invention was a bird feeder attached to a chain that went around a pulley with the other end attached to a jug of birdseed.  When he wanted to add to the feeder he would pull the chain and the chain would drop the jug of feed.  He had many little inventions around his home like that.

Ron’s Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11 AM at New Life Assembly of God, 397 Bridgeport Road, Landisburg, with Pastor Mike Shuff officiating.  Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family at Bloomfield Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Inc.

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