Rodney James Rice Sr., 78, of Imperial died April 20, 2024, at John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 20, 1945, in Boscobel, Wis., Mr. Rice was the son of the late Freida (Adkins) and Roy Rice.
He is survived by his wife: Zelma (Jensen) Rice; five children: Rodney J. (Sherri) Rice Jr. of Belleville, Ill., Andrew Frank (Stephanie) Rice of Hillsboro, Leiza (Paul) Brown of Festus, Amy J. (John) French of Imperial and Spencer J. (Angela) Rice of Arnold; five siblings: Ivan (the late Phyllis) Rice of Warrenton, Mike (Julie) Rice of North Carolina, Rick (JoAnn) Rice of Wisconsin, Donna Rice of Wisconsin and Lynette (Brian) Osmonson of Independence; and 10 grandchildren: James, Alex, Nick, Josh, Ezra, Nathan, Brittaney, Eliza, Parker and Evelyn.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Karen Vannier.
Burial will take place in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.