John Edward Rice

John Edward (Eddie) Rice, 90, passed away on June 15, 2012 in Lake Worth Florida after a three month illness. He had resided in Florida for the past 28 years, living all of his previous years in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Eddie was born on September 17, 1921, in Mannington, West Virginia, a son of the late Alonzo and the late Ella (Sheffler) Rice. He was later adopted and raised in East Liverpool, Ohio by the late Thomas J. and the late Wilma (McLaughlin) Rice.

Eddie was a 1939 graduate of East Liverpool High School, joining the Army in 1938 before his graduation. He served during WWII, seeing combat in multiple locations in the South Pacific Theatre. He was assigned to an evacuation hospital with a group of young men, all of whom were from the East Liverpool area and were together through the entire war from basic training until discharge.

He was a lifelong active member of the Church of the Nazarene. He served many years on the board of the First Church of the Nazarene in East Liverpool, oversaw Church building projects, sang in the church choir and offered his wonderful Bass voice in a gospel quartet called the Emmanuels. While in Florida he faithfully attended the Lake Worth Church of the Nazarene.

Eddie retired in 1984 after nearly 40 years as a master carpenter and member of the Ohio United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 171, having helped to build and provide finish carpentry to homes throughout Columbiana County during his career.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Eleanor (Skidmore) in 2004, his sister Dorothy Ferguson and brothers Thomas Rice and Lon Rice all of California. He is survived by his son Joseph (Marcia) Rice, daughter Deborah Jensen, granddaughter Jennifer (Eugene) Simons, grandson David (Vanessa) Jensen and several nieces and nephews.

Eddie lived his entire life with great compassion and kindness and was loved by everyone he met. He dedicated his life to his family and his church, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

The family will welcome friends on Saturday June 23, 2012 from 2P-4P and 6P-8P at the Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home at 3041 Kirk Rd. in Lake Worth FL 33461, with funeral services following Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Worth Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Bill Buettner officiating. Memorials may be made to the Lake Worth Church of the Nazarene, 128 N. C Street Suite 1, Lake Worth FL 33460-3232