James H. “Jim” Rice, age 81 of Salem, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2025 at Deaconess Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky.
Jim was born on April 17, 1943, the son of Nina Rice and he was raised by Herman and Golde Copeland. He married Karen Ann Rice in 1963 and she preceded him in death. He later married Cheryl (Gray) Thomas Rice on August 11, 2011 at the Calvary United Pentecostal Church in Mt. Vernon.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Rice of Salem; children, Larry Rice of Indianapolis, Indiana, James Rice and wife Vera of North Carolina, and Rebecca Wilmoth and husband David of Salem; grandchildren, Angie Wilmoth, Nick Rosch and wife Angel, Sarah Zoeckler and husband Tim, Amber Elledge and husband Ty, and Joshua Wilmoth and wife Jessica; great-grandchildren, Ethan Zoeckler, Austin Zoeckler, Hailey Rosch, Kali Rosch, Xavier Wilmoth, Whitlee Wilmoth, Ezekiel Wilmoth, Andrew Elledge, and Tad Elledge; siblings, Vinita Huffman, and Della Ehman; mother-in-law, Nancy Woodward-Gray of Salem; brother-in-law, Bradley Gray and wife Patricia; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Rice of Central City. brother-in-law Kenton Gray, and a sister-in-law,Deborah Darling.
Preceded in death by his mother, Nina Rice; foster parents, Herman and Golde Copeland; his first wife, Karen Ann Rice; a son, Gary Rice, and two sisters, Wilma and Martha.
Jim proudly served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963, where he was stationed in Germany. Following his military service, he spent many years working as an over-the-road truck driver and later retired from Egyptian Concrete Company. Jim also dedicated several years of service as the Assistant Director of the Marion County EMA.
Jim was a member of the Calvary United Pentecostal Church in Mt. Vernon, and the Salem American Legion. He loved woodworking.
Funeral Services for James H. “Jim” Rice will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at Noon at Crouse Funeral Home. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Salem with military rites by the Salem American Legion. There will be a visitation on Monday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project and will be received at the funeral home. Online memories and condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.
