Don married the love of his life, Betty Jane Hepp, on June 12, 1948. This union brought three children: Janis, Thomas, and Julie. A Certified Public Accountant, Don was founding partner and principal in the firm of Rice, Sullivan & Co., which grew to be the largest CPA firm in Southern Illinois. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and a life member of the Illinois CPA Society. Don also was president of the Southern Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society.
During World War II, Don proudly served his country in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant, including service in the Philippines. Don fulfilled many positions in numerous associations, including honorary life member and president of the Belleville Rotary Club; District Governor of Rotary District 6510; Rotary Paul Harris Fellow; treasurer of the Belleville Jaycees; Board of Directors of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the Belleville Ambassadors; Board of Directors of the Belleville National Savings Banks; and chairman of the Board of Directors of Frontier Financial Savings and Loan Association.
Don also was a member of the Belleville Area District Library Board and secretary of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Advisory Board. He volunteered on the Althoff Catholic High School Board and served as president of Our Lady Queen of Peace School Board. His lifelong philanthropic efforts earned him the Belleville Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.
He enjoyed traveling, and planning summer vacations with his family. In later years, Don and Betty traveled to many countries. He was an avid lap swimmer into his nineties, often swimming at the local YMCA. He was also an avid golfer who once had a hole-in-one, and enjoyed playing bridge and solving crossword puzzles.
Don was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, and friend. We will miss his dry sense of humor, love of life, and love of family. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his children: Janis Ann Fellner and Thomas Kevin Rice; his parents, Frank and Mary (nee Dietrich) Rice; his brothers, James, Richard, Charles, and Bernard Rice; and his sisters, Florence Lesh, Rita Parker, and Sister Eileen Rice, O.P.
Surviving him are his wife of 70 years, Betty J. (Hepp) Rice; his daughter Julie (Gerard) Grimaldi; his grandchildren, Caroline, MaryKate, Matthew, and Gabrielle Grimaldi, Brian (Tina) Fellner, and Kevin (Amanda) Fellner; his great-grandchildren, Zoey Ann, Maxwell, Wyatt, and Ainslie Fellner, and one bundle of joy on the way; and many dear nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Dammert Geriatric Center for their loving care for Don.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the donor’s choice. Additional memories and condolences are welcome at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com
Visitation: Family and friends may visit from 10:30 am until 11:15 am, Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Esquiline (Shrine) Chapel, located at 726 Community Drive, Belleville Ill.
Funeral Service: A Funeral Mass will begin immediately following visitation at 11:15 am. Interment and Burial Rites will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Ill.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0