Daniel Lee Rice, 76, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Allure of Knox County, Galesburg.
Dan was born April 18, 1946 in Galesburg, the son of Bernard Leonard and Mary Catherine (Frederick) Rice. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and graduated from the last class at Corpus Christi High School in 1964. He served in the US Army, stationed in Panama, from December 1965 to November 1967. Dan moved to Long Beach, California in 1968 to pursue the California life in his 1962 Impala SS. He attended Long Beach City College under the G.I. Bill.
Dan bartended at various local bars including the Queen Mary Ship. He worked many years for Coors Distributors as a driver. During his time in California Dan made many lifelong friends due to his likable personality. He loved the beach life taking strolls along the board walk behind his home. He loved hanging out with his buddies, going to baseball games, the dog track, and cruising in his friend’s hot rod cars. Dan moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1986 for a couple of years prior to moving back to Galesburg in 1988 to help care for his mother. Dan purchased a Harley Davidson and loved riding it for many years. He worked for Galesburg Builders Supply until his retirement in 2003.
Dan was a loving brother to Mike (Margaret) Rice of Pontiac, Missouri and Tim (Linda) Rice of Galesburg who supported him during his illness. Dan was also a loving uncle to Amy Rice of Torrance, California, Melissa (Chris Lavery) Rice of Tinley Park, Illinois, and Melanie (Nathan) Rice-Weik; two great nieces, Zoe and Aiden Lavery; and Sherry Bowers of Arizona and Jim Bybee of Arkansas. Dan is also survived by his best friends, Dave Ashton, Tyler Robertson, Stu Fuller, and many others. A special thank you to Pat Schaeffer, a lifelong family friend who has supported the family over the years.
Dan will be truly missed and forever in our hearts.
Dan donated his body to the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine for scientific purposes so that he may help others. Per Dan’s request a memorial mass will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Private family burial of cremated remains will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
