Merle Dalton Rice

Merle D. Rice, 83, of Huntington County, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday evening May 21, 2024, at Parkview Huntington Hospital. He was born January 21, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Hugh D. and Gwynth A. Rice of Aurora, Indiana. He married Beatrice A. Russell on August 29, 1964, in Fort Wayne. He was a 1959 graduate of Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, and an alumnus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Ball State University. He worked as a high school and college physics teacher, including 30 years at North Side High School in Fort Wayne. For over 50 years, he was a model train kit manufacturer and proprietor of retail hobby stores. He was a member of Markle Church of Christ and served the body of Christ in Allen and Huntington Counties as a teacher, elder, choir member and worship leader. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice A. Rice; children, AmyLu (Richard) Riley of Evansville and Jonathan H. (Angie) Rice of Roanoke; grandchildren, Joshua D. (Caleigh) Rice of Fort Wayne and Zachary D. Rice of Roanoke; and sister, Beatrice G. Anderson of Newburgh. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Markle Church of Christ, 455 East Morse Street, Markle, Indiana. A memorial service will also be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., immediately following the visitation at the church, with Minister Art Herrick officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Markle Church of Christ Missions, sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 403, Markle, IN 46770.