Carole J. (Epler) Rice, 82, formerly of Mount Joy, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Trillium Place, Lancaster. Born in Florin, she was the daughter of the late Wesley and Mary Lucille (Braun) Epler. Carole was the wife of Ralph W. Rice, Jr., with whom she celebrated 61+ years of blissful marriage.
Carole was a graduate of Donegal High School class of 1960. She was a stand-out athlete, excelling in field hockey and tennis. Ralph was attracted to her competitive spirit, and she and Ralph became high school sweethearts after attending their senior prom. Carole was very close to her family, and she remained at home, working at Bachman's Chocolate Company and writing letters, until she and Ralph married on December 15, 1962, when he returned from an overseas Army assignment (in Turkey). The newlyweds spent their first married months in Homestead AFB, FL. After Army life, they relocated to Elizabethtown, PA, where they raised their family. Carole spent her time as a homemaker and mother of four, assisting in church and neighborhood activities, instilling her love of God, sports, and nature in her children. Carole enjoyed family camping, cooking and baking, crafts (ceramics), reading, uplifting music, supporting her children in their endeavors, spoiling her grandchildren, and traveling with Ralph to Hawaii, Europe, and other fun locations. They also spent twenty peaceful years in a mountain cabin near Halifax, PA, living their retirement dream life and hosting many family holidays. Carole most loved having her extended family around her, entertaining everyone with her joyful nature, silly stories, and memories of her adventurous life.
Surviving in addition to her husband Ralph are four children, Julie DeGroot, wife of Terry DeGroot of Nazareth, PA; Jennifer Wineinger, wife of R. Kent Wineinger of Fredericksburg, VA; Jo-Elle Daveler, wife of Deen Daveler of Lancaster; and Chris Rice, husband of Amy Rice of Lancaster; ten grandchildren, Pieter, Ellyssa, Benjamin, Andrew, Kara, Nathan, Jarrett, Jenna, Drea, and Lia; two great grandchildren, Charlie and Raymond; and her younger brother, Douglas Epler of FL. They all gathered to honor her.
She was preceded in death by her brother, W. Gary Epler, as well as her parents and many relatives.
A funeral service honoring Carole's life will be held at the Sheetz Funeral Home, Inc., 16 East Main Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552 on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11 AM. Family and friends will be received at the funeral home before the service from 10 AM to 11 AM. Interment will be private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. To send an online condolence, please visit www.sheetzfuneralhome.com
