Arthur W. Rice, 92, passed away at 9:55 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
He was born Aug. 24, 1927, at New Market, to the late Elmer and Katie (Tate) Rice. On Aug. 30, 1947, he married Luetna “Tyke” (McMahan) Rice. She survives.
He attended New Market High School. Immediately after graduation he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in Japan during World War II. On his return he began his 60 years of farming. In addition he was a dowser all over west central Indiana. He was also a volunteer firefighter for New Market Fire Department, an active member of Montgomery County Pioneer Association, Parke County Covered Bridge Antique Power Association and the Custom Tractor Club. He also served on the Farm Bureau Co-op Board of Directors and the Montgomery County Soil and Water Committee.
He attended New Market First Baptist Church for many years, and then more recently moved his membership to Crawfordsville First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Luetna “Tyke” Rice; daughters, Sharon (Keith) Blaydes, Joyce Rice and Shirley (Bob) Servies; son Mark Rice; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Alfred (Ruth) Rice and Daniel (Ruth) Rice.
We was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Peggy (Bill) Ray; son-in-law Bob (Shirley) Servies; and siblings, Evelyn Reddish, Joseph Rice, Robert Rice, Sanford Boraker, Elizabeth Kelly, Sarah Jane Wilbur, Wilma Hart, Louise Bell, David Rice and Benjamin Rice.
Funeral service will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at First Baptist Church, 1905 Lebanon Road, Crawfordsville, with pastors Mike Whitacre and Loren Stevens officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Indian Creek Cemetery. Friends may gather for a time of visitation 2-4:30 p.m. Thursday at the church. Social distancing and masks are strongly requested. Machledt & Servies Funeral Home has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Memorials in Arthur’s memory may be made to FISH Food Pantry, 1306 E. Main St., Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
You are invited to visit www.machledtservies.com where you may leave a condolence or share a memory with the family.
