Donald Rice

Donald C. "Donnie" Rice age 80, of Maple Rapids, MI passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Laurels of Carson City, Carson City, MI.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI on Friday, February 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.

Don was born in Lansing, MI on February 12, 1937, the son of Donald W. and Bernice (Hettler) Rice.  He graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School, St. Johns, MI with the class of 1954.  Don married Gladys M. Witgen on August 13, 1955 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fowler, MI.

Don was raised on Valley Side Dairy Farms on DeWitt Rd. in St. Johns a retail dairy that delivered milk to homes in the surrounding area.  He spent 23 years in retail management and owned Montgomery Wards for 6 years.  Don lived most of his life in Clinton County, but also spent 16 years in Gaylord and worked with his greatest passion as an electronic system analyst.  In retirement, he moved back to Clinton County where he always considered home.  Don's greatest love was his role as husband, father and grandfather.  Don was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church St. Johns, MI.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gladys Rice of Maple Rapids, son Michael and Pam Rice of St. Johns, daughter Cheryl and Gary Onstad of Howell, 3 grandchildren: Kassi Rice, Eric Onstad and Chelsea Onstad; 2 brothers-in-law: Louis Powell and Robert Armbrustmacher, and sister-in-law Joan Epkey.  Don was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Judith Rademacher Carter, in-laws: Marvin (Ruth) Witgen, Bernard (Agatha) Mankey, Claude (Evelyn) Wieber, Richard Schaefer, Vern Pung, and Louis Epkey; and two sisters-in-law: Marie Powell and Alma Armbrustmacher.

Memorials may be made to Capitol Area Humane Society and Sparrow Hospice.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Johns, MI.