Milo J. Rice
Milo J. Rice
Milo J. Rice
December 2, 1930 – January 16, 2015
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 84
Milo J. Rice, 84, of Oskaloosa died Friday, January 16, 2015, at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab in Oskaloosa. He was born December 2, 1930, in Udell, Iowa, the son of Roy Justin and Anna McDonald Rice.
Following school Milo started working with his father doing plumbing and heating work. He also worked for a time for a farmer and Ideal Manufacturing. On August 1, 1953, he was united in marriage to Norma “Jean” Moody at Oskaloosa. Together they owned and operated Rice Plumbing and Heating in Kellogg for 13 years. They sold the plumbing and heating business and moved to Oskaloosa and opened the Oskaloosa Motel. They owned and operated the motel and Milo continued to do plumbing and heating work in Oskaloosa until retiring in the 1990’s. Milo was very handy, he remodeled several homes and one motel.
Milo enjoyed camping and traveling. He delighted in spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed collecting John Deere tractors and John Deere memorabilia.
His family includes his wife, of over 61 years, Jean Rice of Oskaloosa; two children: Eva (& Dean) Miller of Newton and Bryan (& Louann) Rice of Galesburg, Illinois; four grandchildren: Matthew (& Jennifer) Rice, Shannon (& Carmen Pacheco) Rice, Jeanann (& Andy) Hamm and Sherry (& Alan Altemeier) Lambertus; eleven great grandchildren: James Rice, Alliyah Rice, Quiana Lambertus-Hamm, Tyra Lambertus-Hamm, Chayton Lambertus-Hamm, Shanoa Lambertus-Hamm, Ari Lambertus-Hamm, Taylor Lambertus-Altemeier, Haley Lambertus-Altemeier, Zachery Lambertus-Altemeier, Derrick Lambertus-Altemeier; two brothers: Earl Rice of DeRidder, Louisiana, and Orval (& Marlou) Rice of Malcom; and four sisters: Ada Cormany and Dottie (& Ron) Partelow, all of Newton, Laura Cook of Oskaloosa, and Joyce Stier of Grinnell.
Milo was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Merna Sutton and Jean McDonald; and a brother, Robert Rice.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating.
As was Milo’s wish his body has been cremated.
Burial of the urn will be in the Bellefountaine Cemetery near Tracy. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday morning after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel Monday evening from 4-6 to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
