Charles R. Rice, 67, long time member of the Ottawa Police Department, died Friday afternoon, May 30, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, in the Mueller Funeral Home, in Ottawa, with the Rev. Mark Geisler, Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, officiating. Military rites will follow the service. Burial will be on a later date. Visitation will from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Chuck was born on February 27, 1947, in South Bend, Indiana, to Charles and Delores (Miller) Rice. He was a graduate of Adams High School in South Bend. Chuck served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1974, when he joined the Ottawa Police Department. He married Elizabeth Jackson on December 12, 1979, in Ottawa. He was a member of the Illinois Police Association, Police Benevolent and Protective Assn., American Legion Post 33 and the Harley Owners Group. His service and commitment to the Air Force and as a police officer were very important to him. Chuck was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Beth; children: JoAnne (Eric) Cattell, of Williamstown, NJ, Daniel Rice, of West Deptford, NJ, and Amy Rice, of Ottawa, 3 grandchildren, his father Charles (Elaine) Rice, of South Bend, IN, and one brother Richard (Teresa) Rice, of Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delores, 2 granddaughters, a son Robert “Robb” and a nephew. Memorials may be directed to the family or the donor’s choice.
Charles was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Garden of the Last Supper.