Vera Rice

Vera J. Rice, 92, life-long resident of Newville, departed this life on the morning of Monday, December 6, 2021, at her home.

She was born on November 27, 1929, in Newville, a daughter of the late Reuben and Lottie (Mentzer) Gutshall.

Vera was a Pennsylvania Notary Public for over fifty years, bought and sold used vehicles for sixty five years, and worked at Lisa’s Floral Shoppe in Newville. She also raised dobermans and poodles in the past. Vera was a charter and longest living member of the Green Spring Brethren in Christ Church and their Good Samaritan Sunday School class.

In her free time she enjoyed gospel music, crocheting, and hunting with her late husband Jake. Vera enjoyed gardening and taking care of her home and property, which she did herself until very recent years. She also enjoyed riding around to yard sales or “visiting the community” as she would say, and was well known for having quite large yard sales at her own home.

Vera is survived by two sons, Rodney E. Rice and wife Elsie of Shippensburg, and Rondell J. Rice and significant other Kathy Payne of Newville; three daughters, Christine E. Gamble and husband Edward, Marcia E. Johnson and husband Bill, and Lisa K. Smith and husband Randy, all of Newville; ten grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Vera was preceded in death by her first husband, Jacob W. “Jake” Rice, who died in 2000; her second husband, John Crider, who died in 2005; and seven siblings.

Her viewing will be on the evening of Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Sunday, at the Green Spring Brethren in Christ Church, Newville. Vera’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at the Green Spring Brethren in Christ Church, Newville. Pastor Ralph Fisher and Pastor Phil Steele will officiate. Interment will follow in the Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Green Spring Brethren in Christ Church at 720 Green Spring Road Newville, PA 17241.