Donald E. Rice, 85, passed away at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 at his home at Big Barbee Lake.

He was born on Oct. 11, 1929, to Charles and Faye Rice in Lima, Ohio. He worked for IHC in Fort Wayne as an engineer for 25 years and ten years in the Detroit area for various automotive engineering firms, traveling from his home in Fort Wayne to Detroit weekly. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and family time at the home on the lake.

He was a big John Wayne fan and would watch his movies over and over along with The Virginian and Gunsmoke. His nickname was “The Duke” and many of his friends only knew him as Duke. One room at his home is completely decorated with John Wayne memorabilia.

He raised five children with his former wife: Alice, Fort Wayne; Rick (Anne) Rice; Jeff (Tammy) Rice; Pamela (Eric) Lehman; Doug (Nancy) Rice; and Brian (Sandi) Rice; 11 grandchildren: Gabriel; Misty (Adam) Mueller; Christopher; Cameron; Chandler; Matt; Hunter; Karlie Rice; Katie (Mathew) Kindness; Ashlee (Andrew) Bartlett; and Autumn Lehman; and nine great-grandchildren: Elijah; Jeremiah; Nolan Kindness; Remington; Nova Bartlett; Tori; Austin; Carter Jefferies; Joseph; Caydence Mueller; a brother: Al (Anne) Rice, Jeffersonville. Preceding him in death is a brother and a granddaughter: Nicole Lehman.

On June 18, 1982, he married Marilyn Harmes and was a loving father to her two children: Lori (Todd) Scandling; and Scott Harmes; and Beth Harmes. He was grandfather to: Mollie (Greg) Bryant; Nick and Thomas(fiancée, Jocelyn Brosamer: Harmes; Emilee (fiancée Kyle Blevins) Harmes; Colton Scandling; Katelyn Scandling; and Adam Crispo; great-grandchildren: Ava; and Noah Bryant; and Evayla; daughter of Katelyn.

A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with Pastor Glen Francis officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation hours will be from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, in the funeral chapel.

Preferred memorials may be given to Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, Albion, or the Animal Shelter of donor’s choice.

To sign the guestbook or send condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com