J. Hartsell Rice

J. Hartsell Rice, 86, of Osgood passed away Thursday, August 17, 2006 at the Hospitality Hall in Batesville. He was born at Rising Sun on August 4, 1920 the son of Joel and Lucretia Gentry Rice. He was married to Ida Green and she preceded him in death. Survivors include one son, Robert J. Rice and his wife Marilyn, currently serving with the US Army in Varese, Italy; one daughter, Mary Jane Rice of Indianapolis; close friend Behzat Turut; grandsons David, Steve, and Kyle Rice, and three great-grandchildren. Besides his wife he was preceded in death by his parents, son Donald William Rice, his brother Thomas Gentry Rice, and his sister Marie Schroder. Mr. Rice was a 1938 graduate of Rising Sun High School and was an Army veteran of WWII where he served in Europe with the 552 engineers battalion as a staff sergeant. The 552 was responsible for constructing the longest pontoon bridge during WWII, over the Elb River in Germany. Mr. Rice was a member of the Osgood United Methodist Church, Osgood Lions Club, Osgood American Legion, Laughery Valley Project Clear, and was a former member of the Osgood Library Board. He had also served with the Osgood Volunteer Fire Department and had served for 30 years on the Osgood Town Board, serving various times as its president. He and his wife had formerly operated Rice's Grocery and Rice's Restaurant in Osgood. Funeral services will be Monday, August 21 at 10am at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Rob E. Rixman and Rev. Maxine Vallejo-Rixman officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery near Aurora. Visitation will be Sunday from 5pm to 8pm. Memorials may be given to the Osgood Public Library in care of the funeral home.