MERLIN A. RICE, 76
Merlin A. Rice, 76, formerly of Fort Wayne, died Sunday, March 16, 2003 at Jupiter Medical Center, Jupiter, Florida. A native of Fort Wayne, he was a truck driver for Dailey Asphalt Company, president & business manager for Teamsters Union Local 297, and business manager for 414; he retired in 1986. He was a member of 1st Methodist Church in Okeechobee, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Angola Elks Lodge 2398, Okeechobee Moose Lodge 1753, Okeechobee American Legion 0064, Shrine Club, Fort Wayne Mizpah Temple, 32 Degree Mason Lodge 237, US 1st Association, Okeechobee County Democratic Party State Committeeman, State of Democratic Party Vice Chair Small County Coalition, Vice Chair 16th Congressional District, and he was a Navy Veteran.
He is survived by daughters Patricia J. Felver, South Whitley, Indiana; Trois A. (Dennie) Ray, Columbia City, Indiana; sons Merlin R. (Alice) Rice, Albion, Indiana; Jimmie A. (Cheryl) Rice, Columbia City, Indiana; 9 Grandchildren, and 19 Great Grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, March 22, 2003 at Elzey Patterson Rodak Home for Funerals with burial in Uniontown Cemetery, Yoder, Indiana. Memorials to Shriners Children’s Hospital.
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