Wendell F Rice

   Find a Grave ID: 167321167.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Obituary. Wendell Rice, 85, of Platteville passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2016 while undergoing treatment for Glioblastoma multiforme of brain cancer. He was born on November 28, 1930 in Platteville the son of Hazel Rice. He was united in marriage to Peggy Seeley on October 7, 1953 in Galena, Illinois.Wendell attended Platteville Public Schools and always remembered the kindness shown to him by his teacher Miss Francis Bentley. Wendell worked as a cheese maker for Walther Dairy for eleven years and then as a custodian for the Platteville Schools. In 1966 he joined the Platteville Police Department, serving as a policeman and EMT for nineteen years. Wendell was an active member of the Platteville Volunteer Fire Department for 53 years. After retirement from the department he continued to help at major fires and when needed. He took great pride in the 50 year ring presented to him by the department. He could always be counted on to scoop out the ice cream at the Fireman's Picnic and regularly attended morning meetings with his close fire department family. He could fill the room with stories of fires he had fought along with stories of his old friends. Wendell was named Wisconsin's 2003 Fire Fighter of the year and in 2004 was inducted into the Wisconsin Fire and Police Hall of Fame. For all of his community service he was awarded the Lifetime Service Award in 2004 from the Platteville Chamber of Commerce.Wendell and Peggy enjoyed traveling and visited eleven countries and all 50 states. Annual family vacations, by car, were always an adventure as Wendell planned all year for the trip. Sometimes he did not tell the family where they were headed, only clues on what type of clothes to bring. Their favorite vacation spot was Germany and they were able to visit several times while Deborah was stationed there. He was also an avid reader, having two or three books going at the same time. Always had a book in his back pocket or jacket and combed the garage sales looking for bargain books.


He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy (Seeley); his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Rice and William Kloster and his grandchild, Gretchen Kloster. He is also survived by his brother, Dick (Joanne) Rice and his sister, Marilyn (Vincent) Abing, sister-in-law, Lavon Rice; his uncle Merle (Sheena) Rice and aunt Jean Rice; brother-in-law, Bill (Ann) Seeley, sister-in-law, Doris Hamele and many nieces and nephews.Wendell is preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Rice, sister, Judy Robertson nephews, Bart and Robert Rice, and brothers-in-law, John and Richard Seeley.


Celebration of life with firefighter honors will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville. Immediately following the burial there will be a time of lunch and fellowship at the Platteville Bowling Alley. Friends may call from 4:00 \endash 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or after 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Platteville Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.comA special thanks to the wonderful men and women of the Platteville Fire Department; the nurses and staff at Wendt Cancer Center; Doctors Sukhwal, Arbaje and Masciopinto; and Hospice of Grant County.

Wendell married Peggy Jean Seeley. (Peggy Jean Seeley was buried in Platteville, WI, Greenwood Cemetery.)