Elmer Edward Rice, 78, of Fulton, Mo., died Sunday, June 21, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born Aug. 7, 1930, at Meadville, Mo., the son of the late Elmer and Edna (Daball) Rice.  In 1950, he married Sabra Clark Rice.  She survives of the home.

Ed was a 1948 graduate of Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Mo.; and the University of Missouri.  He served for 36 years as a teacher and administrator in several school districts in Iowa and Missouri; moving to Fulton with his family in 1964, where he retired as assistant superintendent from the Fulton School District in 1987.  Following his retirement from the school district, Ed worked for several years as an asbestos inspector in Central Missouri, and as a tax-preparer for  H & R Block in Columbia, Mo.

Other survivors include three sons, Tim Rice, St. Louis, Mo., Paul Rice and wife Jenny, Grandview, Mo., and Andy Rice and wife Theresa, Baton Rouge, La.; five grandchildren, Jason Rice, Ocala, Fla., Paula Rice and Katie Rice, Grandview, Mo., and Matthew Rice and Abby Rice, Baton Rouge, La.; two great-grandchildren, Jack Edward Rice and Brittany Robertson, Ocala, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Charlotte Bukowsky and Dolores Dunn.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2009 at Debo Funeral Home, Fulton, Mo., with Pastor Bruce Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday evening, June 26, 2009 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri or Fulton Schools Foundation c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St., PO Box 818, Fulton, MO 65251.
Condolences can be sent to www.debofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Debo Funeral Home, Fulton, Mo.