Ellis Rice Obituary
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Ellis was a 1949 graduate of Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Indiana. He received his Bachelor's degree in 1958 from Indiana University. Ellis was a US Air Force veteran serving in the Philippines during the Korean Conflict. He married Shirley Ann Campbell at the Monticello United Methodist Church on August 15, 1954; she died March 28, 2012. Ellis worked 27 years at UniRoyal in Mishawaka, Chicago, and Warsaw. After taking early retirement from UniRoyal, he moved to Wabash and began working for Markhon in 1987, retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Monticello, Hanna Masonic Lodge in Wabash, the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, and the Murat Shrine in Indianapolis. He was also a member of the board for Falls Cemetery. Ellis was an avid bowler and was also a member of the US Bowling Congress, the manager of the Wabash County Bowling Association from 1990-2022, and even bowled a 300 game on February 14, 2002 at the age of 70. He also enjoyed golfing, even obtaining the rare feat of a hole in one in 1963.
He is survived by four children, Vicki Filip of Wabash, Jeri (Mike) Hanssen of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Joseph (Angela) Rice of Garden City, Kansas, and Stephen Rice; three grandchildren, Kimberly (Torin) King, Russell (Kaycee) Gieras, and Kaeli (Nick) DeMarco; three step grandchildren, Kristi (Todd) Lincoln, Heather (Spencer) Meeks, and Jessica (Jon) Carlock; two great grandchildren Everett and Reid, and six step grandchildren, Brylee, Max, Mya, Luke, Lincoln, and Harper. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call from 4-6 pm Friday, May 23, 2025 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. There will be a Masonic service at 6:00 pm with funeral services to follow. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery in Monticello, Indiana.
Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ellis, please visit our Tree Store.
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