James Darel Rice

James Darel Rice, age 74, of Shipshewana passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN. Jim was born on October 17, 1947 to James G. and Dovie S. Rice in Harlan, KY. He married Pamela Creech on February 6, 1971 in Elwood, IN.

Jim honorably served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam. He was a manager for the Chicken Coop restaurant for over 23 years. He retired as a quality control inspector at Homecrest Cabinets. He enjoyed camping with his family especially in the Smokey Mountain. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pamela Rice; sons Douglas W. (Gina) Rice of Bristol and Shannon (Laura) Rice of Elkhart; grandchildren Chad (Kalie) Hoien, Jeremy Neely, Amanda Rice, Emily (Chase) Stephenson, Hannah (Casey) Cochran, Lukas Rice, Meghan Rice and Chaise Dilorenzo; great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Cohen, Lennox, Angel, Evelyn, Persephonie, Gabby, Gavin, Lily, Carter, Ellaria, Kolten and Kayden; sisters Gail (Tayfun) Ozbaki of Plymouth, WI., and Delore Osborne of Elwood, IN. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Michael and Donald Rice.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday at 2 pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where friends may visit two hours before services. He will be laid to rest at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, IN. at 9am, Friday, November 26, 2021.  Rev. Dave Rowland will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL, 33131. Online condolences may be sent to the Rice family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com