Online Obituaries

Grace Catharine Rice Smith

September 10, 1923 - March 02, 2010

Former Logansport resident Grace Catharine Rice Smith, age 86, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away at 4:55 a.m. today, March 2, 2010, in Florida Hospital of Zephyrhills.

Born on September 10, 1923, in Logansport, she was the daughter of John Earl and Lulu Kroft. On December 25, 1941, she married Charles Richard Rice who preceded her in death in 1986. In March of 1991, she married Rev. Ellis Smith, who survives in Zephryhills, Florida.

Ms. Smith worked at Columbia Elementary School as a Teachers’ Assistant for 4 years, before returning to school. She earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in elementary education from Indiana University, Kokomo Campus. Ms. Smith taught third grade at Caston Elementary School for 19 years, before retiring to Zephyrhills, Florida.

While living in Logansport, Ms. Smith was an active member of the Third Street Evangelical United Brethren Church and later, the Helm Street Church of God where she enjoyed participating in the music program at each of those churches.

Surviving with her husband are three daughters: Susan Catharine Taylor (Jack) of Charlotte, Michigan, Saybra Rice Chapman of Ridge Manor, Florida, and Heidi Rice Shriver of Denver, Colorado. She also leaves 5 grandchildren with wonderful memories [John Richard Taylor, (Kim) Sharee Cathleen Burdick (Fred), Shanna Colleen Strader (James), Zachary Paul Chapman (Maria), and Casey Ryan Chapman], and 10 great-grandchildren, as well. Also surviving are 6 step-children and their families.

She was preceded in death by her only son, Richard Kent Rice; and two brothers, Earl and John D. Kroft.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11th, funeral at Fisher Funeral Chapel with Rev.John Aukerman officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Logansport. Serving as pall bearers are Sharee Burdick, Fred Burdick, Jim Schrader, Aaron Rance, Shanna Steader, Timothy Burdick, James Strader, and John Taylor IV.

Friends will be received from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 10th, and one hour prior to the services on Thursday in Fisher Funeral Chapel.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to the Eaton County (Michigan) Medical Care Facility where Ms. Smith received such loving and compassionate care." Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Directions

Visitation:  Map to funeral home

Cemetery:  Cemetery

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