Allen Dale Rice

Allen Dale Rice, 92, passed away on September 20, 2026, at his home in North Manchester, Indiana. Born on January 15, 1934, in Bippus, Indiana, to Wallace Eldon and Emily Doris (Parker) Rice, Allen lived a long and purposeful life marked by devotion to his family, his community, his work, and the values he carried with him each day.

Allen graduated from Bippus High School in 1952 and continued his education at Manchester College, where he earned a degree in Education. He later received his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from IPFW in Fort Wayne. He completed his student teaching at Manchester High School before beginning his career in education. Allen taught mathematics to high school students at Northfield High School for ten years and at Southwood High School for three years. He also taught math for several years at Grissom Air Force Base through Ball State University. Although, he was a dedicated teacher, he had been farming part-time since he was a teenager. His passion for that led him to full-time farming in 1974, raising crops and livestock with his family.

On August 17, 1952, Allen married Doris Jane Hatton. Together they were blessed with eight children and shared many years of marriage until her passing on March 17, 2022. Their life together was rooted in family, hard work, and enduring commitment. A lifelong farmer who loved being outdoors on the farm, and among the many seasons of that work, harvest time held a special place in his heart. Operating the combine during harvest was his favorite part of farm life, and he did so until he was eighty-three.

Allen was a man of service who gave generously of his time and leadership to many organizations. He was a member of First Brethren Church in North Manchester. He was active in the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, where he served as a past president, and was also a member of the National Beef Cattle Association. His commitment to the community extended to Kiwanis, the Huntington County Farm Bureau Co-Op Board, the Wabash County Vocational School Board, and the Manchester Community School Board, where he served for ten years, including eight years as president. Earlier in life, he served in the Bippus Volunteer Fire Department and later on the Chester Township Fire Department for twenty-three years, including a period of service as Chief. In every role, Allen served as he lived—with honor, ethics, integrity, and honesty.

He also found joy in the simple pleasures that became cherished parts of his life. He enjoyed watching Purdue Basketball, keeping up with the news, and spending time watching old westerns. Allen and Doris treasured trips with their family, traveling to all 50 states. For more than fifty years, he looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Canada, a tradition that spoke to his love of the outdoors. He also took great pleasure in the dogs and cats he had at the farm.

The loving memory of Allen Rice will be forever cherished by his children, Rebecca Rice, Gas City, Michael (Bev) Rice, Atwood, Ronald Rice, Indianapolis, Steven Rice, Bippus, Douglas (Lisa) Rice, North Manchester, Jennifer (Brian Shield) Rice, Indianapolis, and Andrew (Jennifer) Rice, Bippus; grandchildren, Katie (Jordan) Weaver, Matt (Ashley) Rice, Nathan Smith, Justin (Lisa) Rice, Jordan (Sarah) Rice, Jayde (John Olesen) Rice, Ethan Rice, Lindsay (Scott) Johnson, Audrey Rice, Evan Rice, and Drew Rice; great-grandchildren, Colton, Jaxon, Nolan, Ben, Ella, Rylee, Connor, Macy, Adelyn, Josie, and Brodie. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Rice; daughter, Bonnie Smith; brother, Eldon Rice; grandson, Daniel Smith; and three great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may call Friday, September 25, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with calling beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor J.P. Freeman officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Servia, Indiana.

The family of Allen Rice has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.