Leland E. Rice

April 3, 1928 - January 31, 2015

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light: Matthew 11:28-30 ~ were the favorite verses of Leland E. Rice of Orwell Hill, Rome, Pa. Leland passed into the arms of the Lord on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at 86 years of age, following a lengthy illness. He loved the Lord and loved to tell others about Jesus. Leland was born on April 3, 1928 in Blossburg, Pa a son of the late Edward and Eunice (Hall) Rice. He lived his early years in the Troy, Pennsylvania area before moving to Rome, Pa. After their marriage, Leland and Marge moved to Orwell Hill where they’ve lived for 53 years. He was a truck driver, a television technician and salesman, a town constable, and most of all a wonderful husband and loving father. Leland loved spending time with his family, playing cards, spending winters in Florida, and attending the South Warren Community Church. For many years he, along with other family members and the Lawrence Hammerly family, were in a singing group ~ The Praise Family Singers, and later sang with Bud and Pat Smiley as The Good News. They would travel to local churches to sing and give their testimonies. Leland loved to sing, and he and Marge would sing in churches whenever asked. Leland is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marjorie, his children: Marie Chubbuck of Endicott, NY; John (Linda) Rice of Avon, NY; Marlene (Robert) Hammerly of Rome, Pa; Marian (Bill) Cherry of Johnson City, NY; Cindy (Greg) VanDunk of Wyalusing, Pa; Stanley Rice of Towanda, Pa; Becky Wood of Fresno, CA; Theresa (Jeff) Field of Rome, Pa; Christine (Albert) Jones, Beech Island, SC; Michael Rice of Rome, Pa; Lee (Sonya) Rice of Good Hope, GA; his brothers: Elwin (June) Rice; Edward (Vikki) Rice; his sister: Connie McEwen; 22 Grandchildren, many great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Leland was predeceased by his parents Edward and Eunice; his father-in-law: Charles Felton; sons: Stuart, Dutch, and Lloyd; a grandson Scott Moore; two sons-in-law: Lynn Chubbuck and Michael Wood, brothers Lloyd and Ronald, brother in-law: Gary McEwen. Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6 – 8 pm at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols and on Wednesday, February 4th from 10 -11 am. A funeral service and celebration of Leland’s life will be held on Wednesday at 11 am. Interment and prayers of committal will follow in the Orwell Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting our website at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com The family would like to thank Towanda Hospice and all the doctors and nurses involved in his care throughout his illness, and also for all the prayers and support from family and friends. Those who wish may kindly consider a memorial contribution to HOPS Ambulance, c/o James Seipler, 606 Ridge Rd., Rome, Pa 18837; South Warren Community Church, 694 Basswood Swail Rd., Rome, Pa 18837 or their local chapter of the American Heart Association in loving memory of Leland E. Rice.