Date of Death: November 18, 2019
Service Details
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Hohner Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019 at Hohner Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Anderson officiating.
Interment will be held following services at Schoolcraft Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Mr. Dale “Grubby” Curtis Rice, age 87, of Schoolcraft, MI. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Nov. 18th, 2019 with his loving wife Betty at his side. He was born in Schoolcraft, MI. on Nov. 17th, 1932 the son of the late Freeland and Eva Mae (Hill) Rice and was raised by the late Ned and Bessie Jewell of Three Rivers at the age of four.
On May 4th, 1956 Dale was united in marriage to the love of his life Ms. Betty Lou (Mohney) Rice. Dale was a Sargent in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from duty Dale was employed by the St. Joseph County Sheriff Dept. and was co-owner of Wilburt Vault Company and worked for Joe Truckey Cement.
Dale was a faithful member of the Fabius Park Fire Department for forty years. He was an Exalted Ruler of the Three Rivers Order of Elks Lodge #1248. He was a member of the Wiley Koon American Legion Post and a life member of the Marcellus V.F.W. Post #4054.
Dale enjoyed antique tractors and was also a member of the St. Joe County Old Engine and Tractor and Kalamazoo County Tractor Club. Dale was an avid collector of tractors and clocks.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruby, Marion, and Frances and six brothers, Lorraine, Harry, Gerald, Freeland Jr., Richard and Boyd.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife Betty Lou Rice and many nieces and nephews.
Additional Information
Memorials in Dale’s memory may be donated to the Fabius Park Fire Department or the Elks Crippled Children’s Fund. Envelopes available at the funeral home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding
Betty and Family,
Dale was a bright spot in everyone’s life. He made me feel so welcome when I first moved to the Three Rivers area back in 1982. What a difference he made in my life as many other he touched. I am sorry to have missed his funeral. I am sure that Dale is telling jokes with the angles and they are all blessed to have him home now.
Never saw Dale in a bad mood, always had something corny to say to each other when are paths crossed. When I was a kid Marshall Smith and Dale seemed to pull me over every weekend for doing some dumb kid thing. Will miss seeing you buddy
One of the nicest men I have ever met. Dale always greeted me with a smile and a hearty hello whenever I ran into him at fire scenes. It could be 3:00am and 2 degrees out and he’d always have the same happy attitude. I always loved running into him as he was clearly one of the good guys. God speed Grubby.
Betty, your thoughtful and loving care was an inspiration to us all during Dales last months on this earth. We’re so glad we got to see you both last summer. We’ll miss him at family reunions. Love, Dan and Sue Kilgore
MarBenthin
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family so sorry I can’t be with you
Aunt Betty-
So wish we could be with you at this difficult time. We love you both so much and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
All my love to you-
Jaimee & David
Betty, You have our deepest sympathies. It was a great honor to serve with him on the fire department. He taught me so many things and he always had my back. I will never forget him.
God’s speed RIP my brother.