Walter Charles Rice

Walter Charles Rice, 76, of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away on Sunday afternoon, December 14, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Walter was born on December 10, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, to Norval W. and Margaret M. (Keller) Rice, both of whom preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Colleen Cox on December 22, 1973, and together they shared more than fifty years of marriage.

He was currently serving as the Pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Monroeville, Indiana. Walt began his ministry in Beaverton, Oregon. He continued in service to the following communities: Everett, Washington, Caldwell, Idaho, Sedro-Woolley, Washington, and Enumclaw, Washington. Walt also served with Corner of Love missions in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Walt had an extensive love of, and collection of, Rock' n Roll from all decades and genres. He was also a film buff who enjoyed great classics from the Criterion Collection as well as occasional mindless action flicks. Walt was talented at organizing memorable trips and events for his church as well as friends and family. Anyone who knew Walt knew he had a great sense of humor and a love for life. Most important to him were his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Rice of Monroeville, Indiana; son, Nathan (Hannah McLeod) Rice of Tacoma, Washington; daughter, Rachel Rice of Mount Vernon, Washington; sister, Kathleen Frank of Monroeville, Indiana; brother, William Rice and sister-in-law, Nancy Rice of Boise, Idaho; and his sisters-in-law, Gloria (Jimmy) Day, Sharon Horstmann, and Collette (John) Chew.

He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Joe Horstmann and Ren Frank.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Monroeville, Indiana.

Preferred memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw, Washington. Donations can also be made to Buzzard Bladder, Utah Dance School for Wayward Badgers.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes, Jacobs Chapel of Monroeville, Indiana