Mary Ellen (Sprowls) Rice went to be with the Lord at the Diplomat Health Center in North Royalton, OH on Friday, June 155h at 9:30 PM with her children at her bedside.

She was born November 21, 1919, the daughter of Dr. Charles Ross and Mary Bess (McNary) Sprowls, in Boswell, PA.

She was graduated valedictorian with the Boswell High School class of 1937 and graduated Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA) in 1941.

Mary Ellen served with the American Red Cross in Boswell during World War II. She taught English at Boswell High School and directed the school's plays. She resumed her teaching career at Connellsville High School from 1972-1985.

She was a long-time member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Connellsville where she taught Sunday School, played the piano, sang in the choir, and founded the Wesley Church Library with Ethlynne Schultz. Ellen was also a long-time member of the Mozart Music Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She spent much of her retirement time volunteering at the Connellsville Community Center and many church-related activities.

Her personal interests included and appreciation of art, literature, and music. She enjoyed playing the piano and loved her dogs. She kept a journal much of her adult life. Mary Ellen and her close Juniata classmates kept a round robin letter going among themselves over 60 years, an unusual chronicle of their lives.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her brother Winfield Scott Sprowls of Boswell and her husband of 55 years, Albert Rice. She is survived and sadly missed by: her brother "Lou" Jim Sprowls and his wife Emily of Lakeland FL; her son Mont Rice, his wife Cindy and granddaughter Stephanie Ellen of Erie PA; her daughter Jennie Denoble, her husband Fred and grandson Mark of Strongsville OH; and grandson Brian Denoble and wife Angela of Columbus, OH

Friends may call at the Suzanna Wesley Room at Wesley Methodist Church at 417 South Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Wednesday, June 20. Service will be held at 4:00 PM with David Youngdahl, former pastor at Wesley presiding.



Donations may be made to Wesley Church in lieu of flowers.

Interment will be private.



Arrangements are under the direction of the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, Inc., Uniontown, PA.

Your personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com.