Mary Rice, 69

Mary Joyce (Arnold) Rice, age 69 of rural Sturgis, died Monday Sep. 20, 2010 at Fairview Living Center in Centreville. She was born in Three Rivers on Dec. 6, 1940 the daughter of Delmar and Agnes (Bixler) Kauffold and was a lifetime resident of the Three Rivers area. She was a graduate of Three Rives High School and attended the Texas Corners Bible Church. Mary was a beautician, and had worked at Ethel’s Beauty Salon and Salon III in Three Rivers. She enjoyed arts & crafts, travel, shopping, and spending time with her grandchildren, friends, and pet cat, Charlie.

Mary was married to Dean R. Rice on Nov. 1, 2001 in Lansing. He survives along with a daughter Nancy Born (Troy) of Three Rivers; a brother, David Kauffold of South Bend; and uncle, Donald C. Kauffold of Sun City, AZ; a step-daughter, Marian Cottingham of Three Rivers; 2 step-sons, Lyle Rice (Linda) of Portage and Daryl Rice (Sue) of Three Rivers; 4 grandchildren, Eric Parker, Floyd Parker, Adam Parker, and Aaron Hassinger.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday Sep. 24, 2010 at the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers. Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Rudy P. Grantham, Pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Constantine officiating. Cremation will follow services. Memorials will be directed to the family. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.efhchapel.com