Ralph E. Rice

   Ralph E. Rice, 77,  of Lorain died early Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 at Community Health Partners Regional Medical Center in Lorain following a brief illness.
    
   Mr. Rice was born in Sharon, PA on September 26, 1931, the son of the late Ralph E. and Marion (nee Schrader) Rice. He graduated from Grove City High School, in Grove City,  PA and attended New Castle Business College.

     He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

     Mr. Rice was a retired boiler maker at P. C. Campana in Lorain retiring in 1995. He also worked at the  former American Shipbuilding and the American Bridge Co. His most enjoyable activity in life was teasing the people he liked.

     He was a member of the American Legion Post 30, Moose Lodge # 552, Amvets Post 47 serving as chaplain for 6 terms, Marine Corp League, past president of the 40 & 8, past president of the Lorain Veterans Council, Lorain County Council for the American Legion, serving 6 times as commander, and past commander of the Lorain-Medina Counties Fifth Division.   

 
     He is survived by daughter Marsha  Morton, Melissa Rice both of Lorain, of Lorain, Marie Watson of Muskegon, Michigan, Maxine Eberhardt of Ashland, 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, sisters Katherine Fox of Portsmouth and  a brother Charles  Rice of Goshen, IN.

     In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Nina R. (nee Glass) Rice on November 27, 2002 and a sister Sondra Catzah.

     Friends may call on Friday, December 19, 2008 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm in the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain.

     Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home.

     Burial will be in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman.

     The family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Buckeye Boys State P.O. Box 8007, Delaware, Ohio 43015-8007 or the American Legion Post 30,  1112 West Erie Ave., Lorain, Ohio  44052.