Daniel E. Rice, 91, of Crawfordsville passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville.
Daniel was born July 16, 1932, in Montgomery County, to the late Elmer James and Katie B. (Tate) Rice.
Daniel was a 1951 graduate of New Market High School.
On May 2, 1952, Daniel married Opal J. Tracy. They had shared 56 years of marriage. She preceded him in death Dec. 3, 2008. On Oct. 15, 2017, Daniel married Ruth E. Hallett. They have shared six happy years together.
Daniel was a member of the New Market Baptist Church, but later attended Freedom Baptist Church with Ruth Ellen. He was a 50-year member of the Alamo F&AM, a 50-year member of the York Rite Shriners of Indianapolis, a member of the Eastern Star, the New Market K of P, and a lifetime member of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. He was also a 50-year member of the Montgomery County Shriners. He carried on the tradition of interest of firefighting and was involved in the development of the New Market Volunteer Fire Department. He was a lifelong farmer in the New Market area.
Survivors include: wife Ruth Ellen Hallett; son Dennis L. Rice; daughter Beverly J. Rice (Tom Haniford); son-in-law Jeff Tolin; step-son Rick Hallett (Jill); four grandchildren, Rachel Cron (Zack), Jenny Long, Creed Tolin (Shelby) and Mallory Galloway (Joe); step-grandchildren, John Douglas (Stacy), Chadd Haniford (Kari), Andrew Haniford (Mandy), Julian Hallett, Casey Hallett, Cora Hallett; and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Opal J. Rice; daughter Connie B. Tolin; step-grandson Brian Douglas; brothers, David Rice, Alfred Rice, Arthur Rice, Benjamin Rice, Joe Rice, Bob Rice and Sanford Boraker; and sisters, Louis Bell, Wilma Hart, Sarah Jane Wilbur, Evelyn Reddish, Elizabeth Kelly and Katherine Rice.
Friends may visit with the family 4-8 p.m. Friday, March 15 at Machledt & Servies Funeral Home, 301 E. Green St., Waveland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16 at the funeral home, with Pastor Tim Gillispe officiating. Burial will follow in Indian Creek Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Market Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 348 New Market, IN 47965. Envelopes will be provided.
Visit online at www.machledtservies.com where you may leave a condolence or share a memory with the family.
