Barbara Jean Rice

Barbara Jean (Schroth) Rice was born March 4, 1928, in Decatur, Macon Co, IL, the oldest daughter of Virgil and Maude Harder Schroth. They lived in Decatur at first, but when the Great Depression came on, they moved to her grandparents' farm near Shumway, Effingham County, IL where Barbara spent her childhood and attended school. In the early 1940's the family moved back to Decatur. Barbara graduated from Decatur High School in 1946 and went on to attend Milliken University. Here she met and married Howard Damery Rice, a young professor and WW2 Veteran (former personal pilot to General George S. Patton). They were married in the First Methodist Church in Decatur on January 27,1949. Howard taught at Milliken for a while before taking on accounting positions at Milton Bradley, then Caterpillar. They bought a house in Decatur where they raised 5 daughters. In 1960, Howard took a job at Lehn & Fink in Lincoln, IL where they lived for the next 5 years. In 1965, they moved again to Florissant, Missouri when Howard took a job Quality Dairy Company, then as a CFO at the Jewish Light in St. Louis. Barbara stayed home and worked as a housewife taking care of the house and children. After the children got a bit older, Barbara went to work at Sears, Roebuck & Company in the accounting department where she worked until her retirement at age 55.

Both Barbara and Howard were active members of the United Methodist Church during their lifetimes. They also enjoyed spending time traveling, getting to visit Europe and all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. After retirement from their regular jobs, they would spend part of each year in Alaska working for their daughter who was a CPA in Homer, AK. Barbara and Howard were able to spend alot of time with all of their grandchildren. Barbara was an excellent seamstress and was also active in the Methodist Church women's groups and did quilting and bazaar work. She also enjoyed reading, cooking, and genealogy.

Her husband Howard died in 1993, so she lived on her own for many years at the house in Florissant. When the house became too big for her needs, she downsized and purchased a new home in Imperial, Missouri in 2017. She lived here for several years when she took a fall, and her mobility became an issue for her in taking care of herself. She then moved to an assisted living facility in Town and Country, MO in 2022. Soon after, she moved in 2023, to Sunrise Senior Living facility in Carmel, IN to be near her granddaughter who was an RN. The next year, her family helped her move into a maintenance-free home in Cumberland, IN where her granddaughter could take care of her in her own home. Her health gradually declined after her 97th birthday in 2025, but she was still able to interact with some of her great-great grandchildren even during her last days and enjoyed their company. Her last days were spent surrounded by all of her daughters who all arrived in town in time to see her before the end.

Barbara is survived by her 5 daughters: Donna Kwasigroh (Gary Moore) of Metamora, IL, Marilyn (Bruce) Gnad of Homer, AK, Linda (Gene) Collins of Hillsboro, MO, Cynthia Rice (Jim Bilbrey) of Indianapolis, IN, and Nancy (Aric) Tomlins of The Woodlands, TX. She also leaves 8 grandchildren: Henry (Dana) Gnad of Homer, AK, Michael (Lila Nelson) Gnad of Sewickley, PA, Aaron Moore of Metamora, IL, Lisa (Adam) Prowker of Flemington, NJ, Gina Collins of St. Ann, MO, Renee (Ernesto) Mulgado of Indianapolis, IN, Ethan Tomlins of Conroe, TX, and Megan Tomlins of Ballston Spa, NY. She leaves 9 great-grandchildren: Jordan Coventry (Tanner Benisch) of Peoria, IL, Layne Agee of Decatur, IL, Ari Gnad of Hawaii, Olivia Gnad of Dublin, Ireland, Abigale and Madeline Prowker of Flemington, NJ, Denise (Jalen) Stokes of Indianapolis, IN, Lydia Mulgado (Tevin Lashlee) of Franklin, IN, and Luis "Alex" Mulgado (Noemi Reyes) of Indianapolis, IN. Nine great-great grandchildren also survive: Kyler Hughes, Ryder and Bentley Benisch of Peoria, IL, Oliver Agee of Decatur, IL, Athena, Brooklynn, and Xavier Stokes of Indianapolis, IN, and Luca and Olivia Lashlee of Franklin, IN. Barbara's brother, Marvin Schroth of Tampa, FL also survives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Maude (Harder) Schroth, and sister Mary Lou (Schroth) Raney.

She will be remembered as a kind, loving, mild-mannered person who enjoyed helping others and spending time with her family. No service is planned at this time, but her cremated remains will be buried alongside her husband at the Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Blue Mound, IL at a later date.