Harry J. ‘Jake’ ‘Abe’ Rice, Sr.
Harry J. “Jake” “Abe” Rice, Sr., 83, of Thompsontown, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his family.
Born on Nov. 5, 1942 in Baltimore, Md., he is a son of the late Sylvester J. “Dutch” Rice, Sr. and Charlotte (Orwan) Rice McGowan.
On Nov. 27, 1965, he married his surviving wife, Nancy M. (Forry) Rice with whom he shared 60 years of marriage before his passing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Mary A. Speece and her husband Randy of Thompsontown, Harry J. “Jake” Rice, Jr. and his wife Kate of McAlisterville, and Diane L. Yoder of Thompsontown; three grandchildren, Brittany Hockenberry and her companion Jason Lucas, Jaimee Beasom and her husband Ethan, and Julie Rice and her companion Dennis Arnold; three great-grandchildren, Levi Hockenberry, Kyli Hockenberry, Brynlie Beasom and one on the way; siblings, Robert Rice and his wife Eileen of Millerstown, Bessie Speece and her husband Dwayne of Mifflintown, Patsy Maneval and her husband Elwood of Thompsontown, Jeannie Bowers and her husband Harold of Camp Hill, Paul Rice and his wife Pam of McAlisterville, Shirley Hargett and her husband Frank of Mifflin, Helen Smith and her companion Wes Smith of Mifflintown, and Anna Beachel and her husband Terry of Thompsontown; and many generations of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son-in-law, David L. Yoder and three brothers, Sylvester J. Rice, Jr., Kenny McGowan, and Ralph J. Rice.
Mr. Rice honorably served our country in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania.
He was employed and retired as a Trackman with over 40 years of service to Conrail in Enola.
In earlier life, he attended Crossroads Church of God of Prophecy in Maze and was a member of the Millerstown Moose Lodge No. 925.
His hobbies included farming, hunting, fishing, gardening, and butchering; however, he loved spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at the Stony Run Mission, 825 Evendale Hill Rd, McAlisterville with the Rev. William Luckadoo and the Rev. Nicholas Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in Maze Cemetery, Thompsontown where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.
A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Services at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.