Darrel LeRoy Rice

Darrel LeRoy Rice, May 26, 1940 -- August 4, 2017

Darrel (Skip) Rice, born in Hillsdale, MI to Marion and Edna Rice, passed peacefully in his Fowlerville home, surrounded by his immediate family. He was predeceased by his parents, an infant twin brother, Gerald, elder brother, Richard (Eva), and sister, Mary Ann (Bert) Rigney.

Along with his wife and children, Darrel (known as “Skip,” a childhood nickname given by his father) is survived by loving sister, Judy Hartman, granddaughters, Emma and Hannah, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

 After graduation from Reading High School, Skip continued his education at several colleges, earning degrees from Central Michigan and Michigan State University.  His college attendance was interrupted by enlistment in the United States Air Force, including service in Saigon during the Vietnam War.  He married Susan Jane Hartman (South Lyon) in 1969, after which they added daughter, Rebecca, and son, Andrew (Eileen) to their family.

Skip began his teaching career in 1969 as a science and photography instructor at Brighton High School, Brighton, MI.   After 25 years, he felt called into Christian ministry and attended seminary classes in Kentucky and Ohio. He thenserved for over five years as pastor of the United Methodist Livingston Circuit (Trinity and Plainfield Churches).  Declining health prompted a second retirement during which time he enjoyed traveling (especially to Arizona), being a grandpa, and observing nature from his rural home.

Celebration of life gatherings will include visitation at Herrmann Funeral Home, 1005 E. Grand River, Fowlerville, MI with military honors on Friday, August 11 from 6-8 p.m. and final farewell at Howell United Methodist Church, 1230 Bower St., Howell, MI on Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m. visitation and 11 a.m. service.   A lunch at the church will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, it was Skip’s wish that memorials be made to the Brighton High School Scholarship Fund or the Howell First United Methodist Church Building Fund.

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