Stephen “Steve” G. Rice of Urbana and formerly of Potomac, Ill., passed away at 3:01 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was 68.

Rice was born on Oct. 21, 1946, in Danville, the son of Evelyn (Saunders) Rice and the late Gordon Albert Rice.

After graduating from Potomac High School, Rice attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale graduating with a bachelor’s degree in photography. He later joined the Army for 2 years, mustering out overseas where he traveled and met his wife Elizabeth. He returned state side to work the family farm and raise his family. 

He loved horses and went on to attend Oklahoma Farrier College in Sperry, Okla., matriculating as a master farrier. He spent years in California plying his trade. He returned to Potomac and established a thriving farrier business. He found immense joy in his work. Work was his life and social center.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at the Middlefork United Methodist Church in Potomac. Burial will follow in Potomac Cemetery. The visitation will be from 4 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Blurton Funeral Home in Potomac. Memories or photos may be shared with the family on his memorial page at blurtonfuneralhomes.com.

» Read Full Obituary