Eugene C. Rice, 95, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Saturday March 1, 2014 at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.

Born on February 4, 1919 in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Milton E. and Bertha (Carl) Rice, and he was the widower of Gloria C. (Dickson) Rice.

He graduated from William Penn High School, Class of 1937 and was a US Army Air Force veteran who served during WWII. He received an Air Medal for his work in sinking a Japanese vessel during the war. He was retired from Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance in Richmond, VA where he was a Senior Vice President. A lifelong lover of jazz music, he and his wife Gloria loved to take cruises just to enjoy the jazz played aboard ship. He also was an avid reader. Eugene and Gloria were residents of Sun City Center, FL for 17 years.

He is survived by four sons, Gregg Rice and his wife Nancy, of New Cumberland; Ronald Rice and his wife Claire, of Santa Barbara, CA; Steven Rice and his wife Debbie, of Florham Park, NJ; Jeffrey Rice, and his wife Marilyn, of Mechanicsville, VA; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A celebration of Eugene's life will be held on Saturday March 8, 2014 at 12:00 P.M. in the Myers-Harner Funeral Home, 1903 Market St., Camp Hill. A viewing will also be held in the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Burial with Military Honors will be held following the service in Rolling Green Cemetery, Camp Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lifeways at Messiah Village, 100 Mt. Allen Dr., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17110.