*** *** *** 26 FEB 02 The following is the obituary for Cheryl's father that will appear in the newspaper. Some have been asking for more details so this will be the best way to communicate to you all regarding this. NOTE ALSO that the date of the funeral service has changed. Rev. Richard L. Rice November 18, 1924 - February 25, 2002 The Reverend Richard L. Rice, age 77 years of Grant Street, Niles, Michigan died at 4:00 a.m. Monday, February 25, 2002 at his home. His passing was sudden, but of natural causes. He was born on November 18, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to Ennis and Florence (Conner) Rice, was raised in the Downers Grove, IL area. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged as a Corporal from the Military Police. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton (Illinois) College, and the Bachelor of Theology degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. His professional ministry began as he helped to establish the First Baptist Church of Oaklawn, Illinois. He went on to serve pastorates at Grace Baptist church, Mahomet, Illinois, First Baptist Church, South Holland, Illinois, Bethany Baptist church, Billings, Montana, and Pleasant View Church, Lebanon, Indiana. He and Mrs. Rice retired to Niles in 1989 from where he has served as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, South Bend, Indiana and Mason Baptist Church, Cassopolis, Michigan. He also served an integral part of the staff of Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles both in his role as a minister, and as a care-giver to families served. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Niles. He enjoyed camping, working in his yard and shop, and traveling nationally and internationally to visit his children and grandchildren. On May 29, 1948 at Westmont, Illinois he was married to the former Shirley Riggenbach who survives. Also surviving are their daughters, Cheryl (& Rev. Leon) Hill of Tokyo, Japan, Kimberly (& Paul) Kenote of West Linn, Oregon, and Beth Rice (& Jim) Lewis of Evanston, Illinois; five grandchildren; and his brothers, Ennis Rice, Jr. of Chicago, and tom Rice of Spring Hill, Florida. A son, Jeffrey Rice preceded in death. Funeral Services for Rev. Richard L. Rice will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2002 at the First Baptist church, Niles with the Rev. Scott A. Goodman of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles and will conclude with a veteran's flag presentation by American Legion Post #26 Commander John McLaughlin. The family will receive friends at the Halbritter Funeral Home (615 E. Main St.; Niles, MI 49120; Tel. #: 616-683-3000) Thursday from 2-4:00 and 6-8:00 p.m. Contributions in memory of Rev. Rice may be made to the Conservative Baptist International Mission Fund; 1501 West Mineral Avenue; Littleton, Colorado 80120. Thank you again for your prayers for us all in these days. In Christ, Leon & Cheryl