“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light: Matthew 11:28-30 ~ were the favorite verses of Leland E. Rice of Orwell Hill, Rome, Pa.
Leland passed into the arms of the Lord on January 31, 2015, at 86 years of age, following a lengthy illness.
He loved the Lord and loved to tell others about Jesus.
Leland passed into the arms of the Lord on January 31, 2015, at 86 years of age, following a lengthy illness.
He loved the Lord and loved to tell others about Jesus.
Leland was born on April 3, 1928 in Blossburg, a son of the late Edward and Eunice (Hall) Rice.
He lived his early years in the Troy area before moving to Rome, PA.
After their marriage, Leland and Marge moved to Orwell Hill where they’ve lived for 53 years. He was a truck driver, a television technician and salesman, a town constable, and most of all a wonderful husband and loving father. Leland loved spending time with his family, playing cards, spending winters in Florida, and attending the South Warren Community Church. For many years he, along with other family members and the Lawrence Hammerly family, were in a singing group ~ The Praise Family Singers, and later sang with Bud and Pat Smiley as The Good News. They would travel to local churches to sing and give their testimonies. Leland loved to sing, and he and Marge would sing in churches whenever asked.
Surviving are his loving wife of 54 years, Marjorie; children: Marie Chubbuck, Endicott, NY; John (Linda) Rice, Avon, NY; Marlene (Robert) Hammerly, Rome, Marian (Bill) Cherry, Johnson City, NY; Cindy (Greg) VanDunk, Wyalusing; Stanley Rice, Towanda, Becky Wood, Fresno, CA; Theresa (Jeff) Field, Rome; Christine (Albert) Jones, Beech Island, SC; Michael Rice, Rome; Lee (Sonya) Rice, Good Hope, GA; brothers: Elwin (June) Rice; Edward (Vikki) Rice; sister: Connie McEwen; 22 Grandchildren; many great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and families.
He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Eunice; father-in-law: Charles Felton; sons: Stuart, Dutch, and Lloyd; a grandson Scott Moore; two sons-in-law: Lynn Chubbuck and Michael Wood, brothers Lloyd and Ronald, brother in-law: Gary McEwen.
Funeral was held February 4 from the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, Nichols.
Interment and prayers of committal followed in the Orwell Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Towanda Hospice and all the doctors and nurses involved in his care throughout his illness, and also for all the prayers and support.
Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to HOPS Ambulance, c/o James Seipler, 606 Ridge Rd., Rome, Pa 18837; South Warren Community Church, 694 Basswood Swail Rd., Rome, Pa 18837 or their local chapter of the American Heart Association in loving memory of Leland E. Rice.
