Melanie "Mel" L. Rice, 54, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Mich., after a long battle with cancer.
She was born Dec. 29, 1966, in Plainwell, Mich., the daughter of Irvin and Elaine (Pierce) Figel.
Mel was an elementary school teacher in Coloma and Lawrence, retiring after 27 years with Lawrence Public Schools. The love of her life was working with children, and she enjoyed sharing her ideas with other teachers.
Mel was known for being a procrastinator and loved movies and trivia. She belonged to book clubs, and was a class adviser. Most of all, Mel loved spending time with her family.
On June 29, 1991, at the Otsego Church of God, she married Todd Rice, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Quinton Rice of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Tessa Rice of Lawton; her parents; siblings, Julie (Steve) Potter and Matthew Figel; sister-in-law, Pattsarun Simpalik; mother-in-law, Phyllis Rice; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and father-in-law, Arlyn Rice.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends can visit with Mel's family starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Otsego United Methodist Church until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
She was born Dec. 29, 1966, in Plainwell, Mich., the daughter of Irvin and Elaine (Pierce) Figel.
Mel was an elementary school teacher in Coloma and Lawrence, retiring after 27 years with Lawrence Public Schools. The love of her life was working with children, and she enjoyed sharing her ideas with other teachers.
Mel was known for being a procrastinator and loved movies and trivia. She belonged to book clubs, and was a class adviser. Most of all, Mel loved spending time with her family.
On June 29, 1991, at the Otsego Church of God, she married Todd Rice, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Quinton Rice of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Tessa Rice of Lawton; her parents; siblings, Julie (Steve) Potter and Matthew Figel; sister-in-law, Pattsarun Simpalik; mother-in-law, Phyllis Rice; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and father-in-law, Arlyn Rice.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends can visit with Mel's family starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Otsego United Methodist Church until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
Melanie "Mel" L. Rice, 54, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Mich., after a long battle with cancer.
She was born Dec. 29, 1966, in Plainwell, Mich., the daughter of Irvin and Elaine (Pierce) Figel.
Mel was an elementary school teacher in Coloma and Lawrence, retiring after 27 years with Lawrence Public Schools. The love of her life was working with children, and she enjoyed sharing her ideas with other teachers.
Mel was known for being a procrastinator and loved movies and trivia. She belonged to book clubs, and was a class adviser. Most of all, Mel loved spending time with her family.
On June 29, 1991, at the Otsego Church of God, she married Todd Rice, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Quinton Rice of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Tessa Rice of Lawton; her parents; siblings, Julie (Steve) Potter and Matthew Figel; sister-in-law, Pattsarun Simpalik; mother-in-law, Phyllis Rice; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and father-in-law, Arlyn Rice.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends can visit with Mel's family starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Otsego United Methodist Church until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
She was born Dec. 29, 1966, in Plainwell, Mich., the daughter of Irvin and Elaine (Pierce) Figel.
Mel was an elementary school teacher in Coloma and Lawrence, retiring after 27 years with Lawrence Public Schools. The love of her life was working with children, and she enjoyed sharing her ideas with other teachers.
Mel was known for being a procrastinator and loved movies and trivia. She belonged to book clubs, and was a class adviser. Most of all, Mel loved spending time with her family.
On June 29, 1991, at the Otsego Church of God, she married Todd Rice, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Quinton Rice of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Tessa Rice of Lawton; her parents; siblings, Julie (Steve) Potter and Matthew Figel; sister-in-law, Pattsarun Simpalik; mother-in-law, Phyllis Rice; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and father-in-law, Arlyn Rice.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends can visit with Mel's family starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Otsego United Methodist Church until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
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