]
He was born September 27, 1925 in Columbia Cross Roads, Pennsylvania, moved to Mainesburg, Pennsylvania at the age of 10, and moved to Wabasso, Florida in 1967.
Merle was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, taking part in the Normandy Invasion in France during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Smith Rice; daughters, Donna Molleur and Nancy Patterson; sons, Michael Rice, Steven Rice, and Tim Rice; and a sister, Lillian Brueilly.
A visitation is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Wabasso from 10:00-11:00am, with the funeral service following at 11:00. Entombment will take place at Fountainhead Memorial Park at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church of Wabasso in his memory. Fountainhead Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
