Donnie Lee Rice

Donnie Lee Rice, of Weirton a caring family man and Pappy died Tuesday, October 20, 2020, after a year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 81. Donnie was born in Earnshaw, near Hundred, WV on November 5, 1938, one of seven children born to Harvey H. and Grace Scritchfield Rice. Donnie grew up in the Hundred, Earnshaw Area, and as a young man would travel to Weirton to visit his sister Helen. It was during one of his visits he met young Mary Sobieraj. Donnie said one day he was going to marry her, and his wish came true on June 16, 1962. Mary and Donnie just celebrated 58 years of marriage. A marriage that blessed them with four children in five years and through the years seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Donnie worked for Weirton Steel for 27 years as a crane operator. He was fortunate to retire at the age of 55. This allowed him to spend time with his family. Lovingly referred to as Pappy or Old Pappy, He loved to hunt and fish. Pappy cherished the days down at his family’s farm hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons. He was a member of the Colliers Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed shooting his bow and joining his friends once a month for a game of poker. Recently Donnie was baptized and received the gift of everlasting life with his Lord and Savior. In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his brothers, George, Rich, and Herbert Rice, and sisters, Helen Jones and Martha “Diddy Starkey. He will be remembered with love by his wife, Mary Sobieraj Rice, his sons, William Rice, Herbert (Lorri) Rice; his daughters, Donna Rice and Grace (Timmy) Boyd; his grandchildren, Amanda, Manuel, Kaitlyn, Hailey, Morgan, Josh, and William; his eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Karen Hinerman; and his rescue dog, Tippy. Visitation will be 3-6 PM Friday at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com 304 748 3219