LeRoy "Pete" Eugene Vice Obituary (1940

LeRoy "Pete" Eugene Vice, 82, went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2023. He spent his last hours as he did much of his life - surrounded by his family and love. Pete was born to Effie Jane and Ennice "Bud" Vice on June 22,1940, in Fairfield, Iowa. He was the youngest of the family and was welcomed home by his siblings Jack, Ann, Etta, Polly, and Wanda. He attended school in Lockridge and Fairfield and lived in southeast Iowa for the majority of his life. On November 1, 1959, Pete married Donna Ruth Copeland. They were blessed to spend 63 years together. During this time, they welcomed five children: Darwin, Lyle, Joy, Lori, and Jonathan; 14 grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren. Pete was a hard worker and a great provider for his ever-expanding family. He worked in various fields, but some of his favorite jobs over the years included working as a conductor for the railroad, slinging pizzas, and running his own excavating business, Vice Excavating. His family kept him very busy. Pete enjoyed listening to gospel music with his wife, teaching his sons how to work hard and hunt, watching old western movies, fishing, and chasing around his grandkids. Pete gave the best piggyback rides, and he was a pro at making the tastiest egg noodles for special family dinners. In his later years, he enjoyed chatting with friends over coffee and watching birds outside his window. Pete had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his faith was always very important to him. He attended Calvary Baptist Church in Ottumwa. Pete is survived by his wife, Donna; his children, Darwin (Lori) Vice, Lyle Vice, Joy (Bart) Box, Lori (Mike) Lobberecht, and Jonathan (Teresa) Vice; 14 grandchildren, Amanda, Chad, Megan, Austin, Shane, Adam, Melissa, Jessica, Veronica, Dwayne, Nathan, Alex, Cassy, and Gavin; and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and a great grandson, Karson Castro. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 8, 2023 beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Craig Knupp and Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in the Batavia Cemetery immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, please send donations "in memory of LeRoy 'Pete' Vice" to Calvary Baptist Church, 915 Overman, Ottumwa, IA 52501, or to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.