Donald Rice Obituary

Donald R. "Don" Rice, 79, of Berrien Springs passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at his home.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Paul Schaewe officiating. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, John Beers Road, Stevensville, MI 49127, or the Frankel Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine Office of Development 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please make your check payable to the Regents of the University of Michigan and include a note or write the area you wish to support on the memo line.

Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Don was born Aug. 23, 1946, in St. Joseph to Harry W. Rice and Ruth (Kovalska) Caulkins. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1964. Following graduation, Don began a long career at Cook Nuclear Plant, rising to the position of supervisor and retiring after more than 20 years of service. Not ready to leave the workforce, he then worked with the Union Millwrights at various plants and sites throughout the region.

On Oct. 5, 1973, Don married Sharon Cunningham, in St. Joseph. The two were happily married for 51 years before Sharon passed away in 2025. Don brought two children into their marriage, Don Jr. and Vicky, and Sharon welcomed and loved them immediately. Don and Sharon went on to have two more children together, Raymond and Jeremy.

Don was always ready to have a great time, whether it was spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing or traveling in his camper he was ready to celebrate what life had to offer. Often when traveling there wasn't a place Don could go where he wouldn't run into someone he knew, this man never knew a stranger.

A proud member of the Masonic Lodge and a lifelong member of the NRA, Don enjoyed his gun collection, watching old western movies and cheering on his two favorite football teams, Notre Dame and the San Francisco 49ers.