Phyllis Ann Rice

Phyllis Ann Rice, age 81, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Saturday, January 01, 2022 at her son’s residence. She was born on February 01, 1940 in Effingham, Illinois, the daughter of Herbert and Stella (York) Donsbach. She married Dewey Thurman in 1957. She married Ernest Ray in 1962, and he preceded her in death in 1991. She married Wally J. Rice in 1992, and he preceded her in death in 2000.

Phyllis worked at Suttle Apparatus, did various jobs at the VFW, and cleaned houses. She was a member of a bowling league and a lifetime member of the VFW. She enjoyed cooking, traveling with Wally, going to sporting events for children and family, and was an avid cookbook collector.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Ernest; husband, Wally; and one brother, Luke Donsbach.

Survivors include eight children, Patricia Thurman of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Edward Thurman of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Dewey (Kim) Thurman of Sumner, Illinois, Richard Thurman of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, J.R. (Tammy) Ray of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Tony (J.R.) Ray of Mooresville, Indiana, James (Charity) Rice of Vincennes, Indiana, and Brandi (Keeley) Meek of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one brother, Herb Donsbach of Crown Pointe, Indiana; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 05, 2022 at 1:00 PM CST at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM CST at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Woman’s VFW Auxiliary.

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