Joan L. Rice, 87, a longtime resident of Fullerton, Whitehall Township, died peacefully at home June 16, 2019, with her loving and dedicated family by her side.

She was the wife of Ethan “Budd” Rice for almost 65 years.

Raised in East Mauch Chunk, now Jim Thorpe, she was a daughter of the late Carl and Dorothea (Millhouse) Schlecht.

A very dedicated member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall, she enjoyed being a part of Bible Study, the book discussion group, the Vicar Committee, and the Jean Emanuel Scholarship Committee.

Affectionately regarded as the church’s poet laureate, she wrote a poem every month for its newsletter.

A 1949 graduate of East Mauch Chunk High School, and magna cum laude graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, she spent her entire 39-year career with the Allentown School District, being a math specialist at Sheridan Elementary School, teaching fifth and sixth grade until retiring.

An avid bowler in the ASD league, with a high mark of rolling a 250, she also became quite tech savvy in recent years, mastering devices and found often on Instagram.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her nephew Carl R. and his wife, Bonnie C. (Charles) Brosious; niece Lori J., wife of A. Bruce Daddi; grandnephews Justin Brosious and his wife, Casey, Todd Brosious and his wife Nellie; grandnieces Elizabeth Jernegan and her husband Matthew, Laurel and Gina Daddi; great-grandnieces and great-grand-nephews Gracie, Cameron, Vaughn and Alexander; brother Paul Schlecht and his wife, Joan, of Lehighton; and her husband’s extended family.

She was predeceased by a sister Phyllis Brosious and brother Donald Schlecht.

Services will be at 11 a.m. June 21 in the church, 835 Third St., Whitehall, with the Rev. Martha S. Sipe officiating.

Visitation with her family will be 10 a.m. until service time in the church. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown.

Contributions may be made to the church, 835 Third St., Whitehall, PA 18052.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.