Earl C. “Mike” Rice was born in August of 1945 to Gladys and Earl Rice. He was the third oldest of 8 children. He proudly enlisted in the Army and served a tour in Korea. He returned home to work part time several years as a Catasauqua police officer and at Phoenix Forging for over 42 years. In 1966, Mike married the love of his life Barbara “Sue” Fehnel and together they settled in Fullerton where they raised 4 children: Kathy, Michael, Greg and Jeff. Whether he was telling a joke, repeating a story with his own twist to it or gladly showing up first and staying last to help…he mattered. He mattered to everyone he met and it’s because he was genuine. You knew where you stood. We knew, we always knew. He didn’t have to validate a thing, ever. He was funny, caring, warm and compassionate. He was an amazing dad, he loved kids. He often could be found holding a baby and imparting his gentle wisdom, and they would respond to him…like they really understood what was being passed on to them. As a family, we honor him every single breath by continuing to love and support each other the same way that he always did for us. We struggle every day with the loss of his physical presence but we cherish the fleeting smell of pipe smoke or the glimpse of his manners in his children or the laughter from his grandkids and their children. He truly left behind an amazing legacy…we are blessed to be a part of it.
With eternal love,
Sue, Kathy & John, Michael, Greg & Chris, Jeff, Kate & Pat, Ashley, Jenn & Danny, Courtney & Taylor, Michael Jr., John Earl, Tyler, Lexy, Nicholas, Kylie and Olivia