Jacob R. "Jake" Rice

Jacob R. (Jake) Rice, 83, of New Freeport, Pa. died at 9:05 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2015 in the Golden Living Center, Waynesburg, Pa. after being in failing health for the past several years.

He was born August 21, 1932 in Waynesburg, Pa. a son of the late Jacob Leroy and Dora Evelyn Lemmon Rice and had resided in Gilmore Twp. all his life and was a 1949 graduate of the former Waynesburg High School and a graduate of the Washington (Pa.) School of Drafting.

Mr. Rice was a member and trustee of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

He and his wife were the caretakers and record keepers of Rices Pleasant Hill Cemetery, and he was a member of the Elks Lodge in Canonsburg, and the Hundred (WV) V.F.W.

Mr. Rice was a former volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol at Nettle Hill prior to his military service.

He was a veteran of the Korean War where he served with the U.S. Air Force as an Airman First Class with the 5th Field Maintenance Squadron.

Mr. Rice was employed as a journeyman spacer in pipeline construction with Local 798 of Tulsa, Ok., for 50 years where he was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipeliners of the U.S. and Canada, prior to retiring in 1995, and was a self-employed farmer as long as his health permitted.

On February 19, 1971 he married Janet Marie Hess who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Jason, husband of Heather Rice of New Freeport; a grandson, Caleb Jacob Rice, who was his grandfathers All-Star, pride and joy. He took great satisfaction in watching him in school, sports, hunting and life.

Deceased in addition to his parents are three-half sisters, Evelyn Cummins, Pauline Roberts and Helen Jones.

Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Rush Funeral Home, Inc. Rogersville, Pa. where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2015 with Pastor Cynthia Deter officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Gillmore Twp. Graveside military rites will be accorded by representatives of the U.S. Air Force and the Waynesburg American Legion Post 330. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to your local American Heart Association.