May 22, 2018 2 min read

J. Robert “Bob” Rice, age 94, of Waynesburg, formerly of Jollytown, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Washington Health System Greene, Waynesburg.

Born August 2, 1923 in Gilmore Twp., Greene County, he was the son of the late John Lockwood and Mary Irene (Phillips) Rice.

Robert was a resident of the Jollytown area most of his life. He graduated from Waynesburg High School in 1941. Robert was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, where he served as the Sunday School Teacher, Secretary and Trustee.

He served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Korean Conflict and graduated from Army Infantry School in Fort Bennington, Georgia. Robert was also a member of the Fort Jackson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Past Commander of Hundred American Legion Post #120.

Robert began farming with his father on the farm that had been in the Rice family since 1835. He enjoyed raising Hereford cattle, Merino and Rambouillet sheep. In 1984, the Rice family farm was registered as a century farm. He had served on the Greene County Conservation District Board of Directors for more than 40 years and was the Chairman for over 20 years. He was affiliated with many other agriculture organizations. Robert was a local historian, people came from all over to ask him about the Civil War.

He is survived by a daughter, Alice R. (Richard Hunnell) Wilson, of Waynesburg and one grandson, Ian Wilson.

Bob was the last surviving of his family, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Dye Rice, who passed away on November 1, 1996 and three sisters, Edna Rice, Blanche Rice and Sarah Lemmon.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC., 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy., Rogersville. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home, with Senior Judge Terry Grimes, officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Jollytown, with full military honors accorded by the Waynesburg American Legion Post #4793 and accompanied by the U.S Army.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eakin Cemetery, PO Box 166, Brave, PA 15316 or Jollytown United Methodist Church, 963 Golden Oaks Rd., Holbrook, PA 15341.

Please view and sign the online tribute wall at www.kestersonfh.com.