Shawn R Rice

Shawn Richard Rice, 59, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at his residence.

He was born on April 2, 1964 to the late Duane E. Rice and Carol A. (Rakestraw) Rice in Akron Ohio.

Shawn was united in marriage to Deb Evans on November 24, 1984, and she survives.

Shawn grew up attending Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, Ohio, where his father was the Pastor for over 20 years. Shawn was a proud member of Indiana Deaf Camps Foundation, Inc.

He graduated from the Ohio School for the Deaf in Columbus, Ohio. Shawn was a very talented athlete while attending The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. He excelled in numerous sports and received an induction into the VSDB Hall of Fame for Track. He began his employment at Kennedy Tools, Fleetwood, and Strick Trailers for 15 years.

Shawn loved spending time with his family, going to Deaf events, being a counselor at Deaf Camp, being an Ohio State Buckeye fan, attending Adams Central Football games, and just picking on everyone. He had a soft spot for his grandchildren and cherished the time spent with them.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Deb Rice of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Jennifer (John) Menze of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Jill (Jesse) Fromader of  Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Jackie (Luis) Araujo of Monroe, Indiana; mother, Carol Rice of Van Wert, Ohio; brother, Greg (Pam) Rice of Van Wert, Ohio; mother-in-law, Nancy Evans of Davidson, North Carolina; brother-in-law, William (Jackie) Evans of Van Wert, Ohio; brother-in-law, Jay (Dawn) Evans of Davidson, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Aubree Johnson, Max Menze, Madelyn Fromader, Grayson Araujo, Clara Menze, Oliver Araujo, and Raymond Fromader.

Shawn was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Rice; father-in-law, William Evans; and sister-in-law, Lori Evans.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana.

Family and friends will be received from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2023, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana.

Preferred memorials can be made to the family (Checks payable to Jennifer Menze).

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the medical staff that cared for him over the years. A special thank you to Tri-County Dialysis Center and Adams County Council on Aging.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana