RICE, James - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mellott, May 18 - James W. Rice, age 46, veteran of WWI and owner of a meat market in Mellott for the past 11 years, died at 8:30 o'clock, Thursday morning at the Lakeview Hospital in Danville, Illinois, where he had been a patient since last Saturday. Mr. Rice's death was caused by complications, arising from asthma and heart ailment. Mr. Rice had been prominent in the life of Mellott and community for a number of years. He was born Feb 15, 1898 at the Rice homestead south of Mellott, son of James Rice and Florence Key Rice. Just out of school at the time of the first World War, Mr. Rice entered the service and served for 9 months overseas. For a while after returning from the war, he was employed in Danville in the railroad shops. Mr. Rice was married February 28, 1918 to Ruth McAlister, of Mellott who survives together with their three sons and one daughter. Oldest son, Richard Rice is a carpenter's mate third class with the US Navy stationed somewhere in the South Pacific. The second son, Pvt. Harold Rice, is at Camp Davis, North Carolina while the youngest son, Lowell Rice, 13 lives at home. The daughter Margaret Ann Rice, 15, also lives at home. Five sisters and two brothers also survive. Sisters are Mrs. Hugh DeAth, Mrs. Homer Riester and Miss Waneta Rice, all of Mellott.   -- kbz

James W. Rice, 46, veteran of WWI and owner and operator of a meat market in Mellott for the past 11 years, died at 8:.30 o'clock Thursday morning at the Lake View Hospital in Danville where he had been a patient since Saturday. Mr. Rice had been ill for some time of asthma, heart trouble and other complications. He was born Feb 15, 1898, on the Rice homestead south of Mellott, son of James and Florence Keyt Rice. He was married to Ruth McAlister of Mellott on Feb 28, 1918. He served 9 months overseas in WWI, was a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Mellott, a member of the Masonic Lodge of Newtown, the American Legion of Hillsboro and treasurer of the Mellott Lions Club. Surviving are the widow; the widow; three sons, Richard carpenter's mate third class in the South Pacific area, Pfc Harold Rice, stationed at Ft. Davis, NC and Lowell Rice, 13, at home; five sisters, Mrs .Hugh DeAth; Mrs. Homer Riester and Miss Waneta Rice, all of Mellott; Mrs. Myron Dice, of Veedersburg; brothers, Clarence Rice of near Mellott and Grover Rice of Fairmount, who is a patient in the VA Hospital in Indianapolis. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at Congregational Christian Church in Mellott, with the Rev. C.P .Stawmeyer officiating. Burial in Masonic Cemetery at Waynetown.