Donald D. Bice Sr., age 90, passed away on Dec. 14, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at his home on Dewart Lake, Syracuse. Don was a beloved husband, father, Potchy (grandfather), son, brother, leader, mentor and friend.
Don was born on Dec. 5, 1933, in Mishawaka, to Leo and Rose Perrot Bice. He grew up in Mishawaka and graduated in 1952 from Mishawaka High School. He married Monica R. Trytko on April 19, 1958, in South Bend. She preceded him in death in 2019.
After graduating from high school, he served two years in the United States Army, and then spent four years as an apprentice at Studebaker Automotive in South Bend. Over the course of the next 27 years, Don worked at several foundries including Great Lakes Foundry, Dalton Foundry and AM General. He moved to the Milford/Syracuse area in 1969 and, in 1985, he founded Warsaw Engineering & Fabricating with his good friend and partner Jim Weaver.
Don is survived by four children: Donald (Barbara) Bice Jr., of Milford; Kathy (Andrew) Brown, of Syracuse; Carl “Buddy” (Penny) Bice, of Cortez, Fla.; and Keith (Heather) Bice, of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren: Justin Bice, Sage Bice, Tom Brown, Eric Brown, Alyssa Brown (Branscum), Caroline Bice, Carter Bice, Camille Bice; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Colleen Kubacki, of Mishawaka; and Jayne Dregits, of Elkhart.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ninamae Paul and Rosemary Nowicki; and by his brother, Roger Bice.
Titus Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, is entrusted with care of Don, and the Bice family. Visitation will be held there on Sunday, Dec. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. Beginning at 3 p.m., Don’s niece, Cara Burke, will officiate the funeral service. A private burial will take place the following day.
Preferred memorials may be given to the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Building Fund, 6941 E. Waco Drive, Syracuse, IN 46567; or Goshen Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 723, Goshen, IN 46527.