Charles L. “Pete” Rice, 76, of Ligonier passed away very unexpectedly on Friday night Nov. 7, 2014, at the Notre Dame men’s basketball game. He was preparing to cheer for the Irish as he had been doing faithfully for over 30 years.

Pete was born in Grove City, Pa. on March 25, 1938, the son of Ralph and Marion (Schrader) Rice. He graduated from Grove City High School in Grove City, Pa. and later retired from Starcraft in Topeka, Ind. Pete was an active member of the Eagles in Ligonier for over 40 years, loved to golf and to cheer for the Irish.

He is survived by his children: Cynthia (Richard) Dawson, Cheryl Rice, Carol (Russell) Cameron, Douglas (Melissa) Sands, James (Felicia) Rice, and Debra Michael, Millie, Tia, Austin, Jordan, William, and Rhiannon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons: Timothy Rice and Jonathon Gillespi; a granddaughter, Rebecca Dawson; and 3 siblings: Ralph Rice, Katherine Fox, and Sondra Caszatt.

Family and friends will be received at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. prior to the funeral service.

A funeral service will be held in Pete’s honor on at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. Celebrant Larry Baker will officiate. A private cremation committal will take place at Legacy Cremation and Remembrance Center in Ligonier. Burial will take place at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Church Community Services, PO Box 2346, Elkhart, IN 46515.