Robert "Bob" Rice

1930 - 2025

Robert "Bob" Rice

October 7, 1930 - July 27, 2025

LeROY - Robert "Bob" Rice, 94 of LeRoy, IL passed away at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 27, 2025, peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.

His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the LeRoy Christian Church with Frank Lunn and Jeff Mayfield officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery, Bloomington, Ill. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LeRoy Christian Church or L.E.A.S.

Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bob was born on October 7, 1930, a son of Robert Rice and Lois (Lanham) Rice. He married the love of his life, Shirley Rafferty on September 17, 1950, at the LeRoy Christian Church. They were married for 72 years, prior to her passing on August 17, 2022.

He is survived by four daughters, Jeanne and Jim Meaker of Phoenix, Ariz., Debbie and Sam Wilson, Pattie and Kenny Albert and Dixie and Greg Wardrip, all of LeRoy. He is survived by nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lois Rice Cooper, and his brothers: Bill Rice and Jim Rice.

Bob farmed for 44 years, was a policeman for the City of LeRoy for 26+ years, was LeRoy Mayor for eight years and was a fireman for 10 years.

After retirement Shirley "Toots" and Bob enjoyed some travel together and also enjoyed all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities.

Bob enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, hunting, pool, maybe a little gambling, and definitely putting his puzzles together in his later years. He was a die-hard Cub fan.

One of his proudest accomplishments was being able to work to claim LeRoy as a City and not a town.

We as a family know he was admired and respected by so many people. We have heard so many stories of how he helped individuals and families in so many different ways. We are proud to call him Dad.

We would like to thank all of our family, friends and the entire community for giving back to Dad in so many ways, and for watching over him these last few years. We know he is at rest now with Mom, and his pain is gone.

"Well done, good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:21.