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Melvin L. Rice

March 3, 2014

Melvin L. Rice, 88, of Neelyton Road, Shade Gap, PA, died at 12:15 AM, Monday, March 3, 2014 at Chambersburg Hospital.

Born July 7, 1925 at Burnt Cabins, PA, he was a son of the late Rev. Floyd P. & Mildred M. (Cowan) Rice. He was first married to the former Helen J. Burdge who preceded in death October 12, 1985. He later married the former Fae L. Pyles who preceded in death October 21, 2001.

Surviving are three children, Sharon Foster and her husband Duane of Chambersburg, PA, Serena Gibbons and her husband Wayne of Spring Run, PA and Sherwin Rice and his wife Joan of Burnt Cabins, PA and five step sons, Robert D. Pyles, Jr. of Neelyton, PA, George H. Pyles and his wife Judy of Neelyton, PA, Joel E. Pyles and his wife Cindy of Chambersburg, PA, Phillip L. Pyles and his wife Tenni of Chambersburg, PA and David A. Pyles of Shade Gap, PA. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, twelve step grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and twenty two step great grandchildren. One step grandson and two great grandchildren preceded in death. He is also survived by three siblings, Dorothy Bricker of Chambersburg, PA, Martha Miller of Chambersburg, PA and Stanley Rice of Carlisle, PA. Three brothers, Charles Rice, Floyd Rice, Jr. and Marvin Rice and two sisters, Julia Skelly and Virginia Martin, preceded in death. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Rice was a member of the Shade Gap Presbyterian Church where he had served as an Elder. Prior to that, he was a member of the Upper Tuscarora Presbyterian Church where he had served as an Elder and a Sunday School teacher for over 35 years. He was a life member of the Shade Gap Volunteer Fire Co., a member of Madden-Wennick Post 518, American Legion, Rockhill Furnace, PA, the NARFE, Chapter 1063, the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Arbor Day Foundation and was a former member of Cromwell Lodge #572, F. & A. M., Orbisonia, PA.

Mr. Rice was a 1943 graduate of Chambersburg High School.

He retired from DESCOM at the Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, PA after 33 years service.

Mr. Rice was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U. S. Army in the Phillipines.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 7, 2014 at the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, 565 Ridgley St., Orbisonia, PA with Pastor Karen Willis and Pastor Dennis Hunsinger officiating. Interment will be made at Shade Valley Cemetery, RD, Blairs Mills, PA. Friends may call at the funeral home 7 - 9 PM Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shade Gap Presbyterian Church, c/o Mary Frances Jaymes, 19332 Shade Valley Road, Shade Gap, PA 17255 or to the Upper Tuscarora Presbyterian Church, c/o Ruth Mitchell, 17430 Mountain Foot Spur Road, Blairs Mills, PA 17213.

The Shade Gap Volunteer Fire Co. will conduct a memorial service at 8:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

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March 6, 2014
7 - 9 p.m.

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Martin R. Brown Funeral Home

565 Ridgley Street
Orbisonia, PA 17243
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