Born: December 03, 1924

Died: November 26, 2008

Services: Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in New Middletown.

Visitation: Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in New Middletown and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. before the services at the funeral home.

Springfield Township - Harold R. Rice, 83, passed away Wednesday morning at Hampton Woods. Harold was born Dec. 3, 1924 in Petersburg, a son of Hugh and Edith Crum Rice. He lived in the area his whole life. He worked for 32 years in the steel mills and retired from Sharon Steel. He served in the Navy, during WWII. Harold was a member and past deacon at the Old Springfield United Church of Christ in New Middletown. He was a former member and elder at the Poland Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member of the Springfield Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was a realtor at Alpha Realty. He was a member of the Buckeye Coachman Camping Club, the New Middletown Sportsman Club, a leader in the Boy Scouts in New Middletown, a member and advisor of the New Middletown 4H Club and the Springfield Township Historical Society as a member and past president. Harold leaves his wife, the former Jean E. Kariher, whom he married Aug. 3, 1946; two sons, James W. (Winona) Rice of New Middletown and John W. (Lynn) Rice of North Lima; one daughter, Linda (Chester) Surgenavic of North Lima; one sister, Ella Hixson of New Springfield; eight grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and Alvin Rice; and one sister, Esther Lambright.

Memorials: Material contributions may be made to the Old Springfield United Church of Christ, 11957 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Rd., New Middletown, OH. 44442 of the Springfield Township Rescue Squad 3475 E. South Range Road, New Springfield, OH 4443

Cemetery: Zion Cemetery (Map)

Location: Clemente Funeral Home, New Middletown (Map)