Thelma M. Rice

NORWALK — Thelma M. Rice, 90, of Norwalk and formerly of North Fairfield, Ohio, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2018, in Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk.She was born May 3, 1928, in Willard, to Wayne J. and Dorothy D. (McLane) Durling, and was a lifelong area resident.Thelma was a former employee of Westinghouse (Hamilton Beach) of Norwalk. She will be remembered as a fun loving, and kindred soul. Thelma had a love for animals, her pets, and horses, and often took in stray animals to care for. She also enjoyed roller skating and dancing at Forest Lake Park that her father owned. Thelma will also be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Bernard J. Rice of Norwalk; daughters, Patricia (John) Woodruff of Norwalk, Barbara (Norb) Perry of Monroeville, Deborah (Larry) Smith of Nashville, and Pamela (Dan) Hite of Milan; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and sister, Phyllis (Earl) Bauer of Willard.Thelma was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra in 1968; great-great-grandson; and sister, Janet Conaway.Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Walker Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at the funeral home, with Stein Hospice Chaplain Mel Sayler officiating. Interment will be in North Fairfield Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice Service, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870, or the Huron County Humane Society, 246 Woodlawn Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857.Condolences may be shared with the family at edwalkerfuneralhome.com.