John Calvin Rice
John Calvin Rice, 89, of Reedsville, Ohio passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Wyngate Senior Living Community, in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
He was born July 29, 1934 in Reedsville, Ohio in his family home. John was the son of the late Wilmer Atlee Rice and Nora Estella (Kincade) Rice and married Anna Rebecca Wetzel on June 17, 1962 in Zanesville, Ohio.
He graduated from Olive Orange High School and earned a Bachelor in Animal Science Degree in 1957 and a Master of Agricultural Education in 1973, both from The Ohio State University. He worked for Frazeysburg High School as a teacher and bus driver, as the agricultural county extension agent for Muskingum County, and then as the agricultural extension agent for Meigs County. He is fondly remembered by the many farm and civic organizations (most notably 4-H) he ably assisted in his capacity as county extension agent.
John was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Tuppers Plains, serving both in leadership and as a member of the choir. He was a member of the Middleport-Pomeroy Rotary Club; served on the Eastern Local School Board, including several years as president; and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 65 years. John enjoyed serving on numerous boards, especially ones related to agriculture such as Soil and Water Conservation. He was an avid Ohio State fan, attending numerous football games and rooting for the Buckeyes throughout the years.
John especially enjoyed serving others and was constantly involved in the community in various capacities and ministries. He really was the type of man that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He loved talking about his family and would bend your ear about what was currently going on with his sons and their families. He was an avid farmer, raising both cattle and sheep and actively tended his livestock up until the last few years of his life. He was shearing sheep well into his 70s, able to wrangle and shear sheep using the Australian method much faster than people half his age.
John and Anna were only two days shy of being married for 54 years. Surviving are his three children, Mark (Kathy Williams) Rice of Louisville, Kentucky, John (Amy) Rice of Vincent, and David (Dawn) Rice of Reedsville; six grandchildren, Trevor Rice (Tricia), Christina Rice, Meghan Rice (Jordan Boggs), Josh Rice, Clay Rice, and Meara Rice; one great-grandchild, Theodore Rice, a sister, Iris Mae Karhan of Orrville and a brother-in-law Rex Robinson (husband of Wilma Robinson). John is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Anna, his parents, his sister Wilma Robinson, and his brother Harley Rice.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Tuppers Plains, with Pastor Mark Brookins officiating. Interment will be in the Meigs County Memory Gardens.
Friends may call at White-Schwarzel Funeral Home, Coolville, Ohio Friday, September 29, from 5-8 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 308 Tuppers Plains, OH 45783.
