Ethelyn S. Oyer Rice, 93, died at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton where she had been a resident since June of 2007.
She was born Sept. 5, 1917 in Chicago, Ill. to Rev. Amos and Phoebe Pearl Steiner Oyer. After the death of her parents she and her four siblings were raised by Adella Steiner Oyer in Bluffton. On March 25, 1945, she married Edwin N. Rice and he preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 2002.
Ethelyn was a graduate of Bluffton College. She taught music for a number of years in area schools and then she and her husband opened a women and children's clothing store, Rice's Frock and Tots, in Bluffton.
In the mid-1950s the family moved to Medina where they opened another women's clothing store, eventually selling the one in Bluffton. Ethelyn was the owner of the store until it was sold in 1976. At this time she and Ed retired and lived between Medina and Coronado, Calif., until 2002.
Survivors include two daughters, Carol K. Cash of Medina and Diane M. Greb, a son David N, Rice of Bellefontaine, grandsons, George and Michael Greb, granddaughters, Rebecca Cash and Julie (James Jr.) Cash Pertee, great grandchildren James III and Katie Sue Pertee and a sister Alice (Ray) Niswander of Bluffton. A son-in-law Tim L. Cash, a sister Ruth Schumacher and brothers Robert and Herbert Oyer preceded her in death.
Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 2010 at the Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton. Rev. Lew VanderNaald will officiate. Visitation will be from 12-12:30 p.m. Monday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Medina County, 797 N. Court St., Medina, OH 44256 or Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W. Elm St., Bluffton, OH 45817.
