Jerry W. Rice

Jerry Wayne Rice, former mayor and longtime resident and businessman of Fredonia, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2019 at Wascana Grace Hospice in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was 66.

Jerry was born February 23,1953 in Independence, Kansas, the son of James P. and Dora A. Swisher (Dene Rice). After graduating from Fredonia High School he attended the Kansas City School of Watchmaking and graduated from there in 1972. While there he met Cheryl Thingstad and they married in 1972, and later divorced.

In 2001, he married Donna Kilbach and she survives at their home in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jerry was a jeweler until his retirement. He was a member of the First Christian Church, served as Mayor of Fredonia from 1999-2001, was an Emporia Police officer and a Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department for ten years.

His hobbies included photography, stamp and coin collecting and collecting autographs.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Donna, include his daughters, Melissa Rice, Amanda Rice (Mike Ervin), Melinda Self (Brad) and their mother, Cheryl Rice; his stepdaughter, Kelsey Kilbach, his sister, Paula McClain (Sean), six grandchildren, Cameron, Carson, and Morgan Self, TeShawn, Trinity and Tayten Ervin, uncle, Johnny Swisher and aunt, Stella Swisher. Jerry also leaves behind his close friends, Dale and Jane Tharp.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mom and dad, brother Michael, grandparents, Paul and Irene Rice, Abe and Nina Swisher, ten uncles and one aunt.

Celebration of Life Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at Wickham Family Funeral Home. 510 N. 7th Fredonia, Kansas, 66736. A private family burial will take place at the Longton Cemetery, Longton, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Fredonia Pound Pals and may be left or sent to the funeral home.