Estella M. (Kitchen) Rice

Estella M. (Kitchen) Rice , 102 ¾, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Adams Woodcrest.

She was born on September 24, 1916 in Wells County the daughter of the late James G. Kitchen and the late Ilo E. (Platt) Kitchen. She was united in marriage to Robert J. Rice on September 29, 1939 in Newton Kentucky and he preceded her in death on October 23, 1991.

Estella graduated from Decatur High School in 1934. She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where she served as a choir member, taught Sunday school for many years and was in Mary’s Circle at the church. She was also a member of Root Township County Extension Club, the National Women’s Club in the Literature Department, Adams County Coin Club and Shakespearean Club.

She served as a dental assistant for a few years, before serving her family as a homemaker. Estella also served the community with her volunteer work. She was a volunteer at Monmouth School for a number of years, and also volunteered at the Decatur Public Library.

Estella loved to sew and garden. She was in the Callithumpian Parade up to the age of 99.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Reau of Lima, Ohio and Rebecca (Bud) Kemp of Decatur; son, David (Suzy) Rice of Decatur; ten grandchildren; Dr. Nancy ( Dr. Rajeev Puri) Reau, Douglas (Tammy) Highland, Rhonda (Joel) Huebner, Jennifer (Otis) King, Rob Rice, Ryan (Amy) Rice, Karrie (Matt) Macke, Erica (Brian) Grote, Andrea (Scott) Hamman, Natalie (Luke) Foster; 20 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by twin daughters, Carolyn and Marlyn; daughter and son-in-law, Harriet and Ronald Highland; son-in-law, Gerald Reau; two brothers, James B. Kitchen and Ernest B. Kitchen; and a granddaughter, Rene Sue Rice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 9, 2019 at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Decatur with Pastor Chris Gadlage officiating. Interment will follow in the Evans-Rice Cemetery, rural Decatur.

Friends will be received from 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Preferred memorials can be made to St. Marks United Methodist Church Music Department in memory of Robert J. Rice or Heart to Heart Hospice.