Merva Bell Rice, 85, of Worthington, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2005 at Owen Valley Health Campus.

Born March 27, 1920 in Freedom, she was the daughter of Jess and Julia (Keller) Herrington.

She was a homemaker. She was the oldest of 10 children. She had lived for 12 years in Arizona before returning to make her home in Indiana.

Survivors include: her children, Jeretta Douglas of Tucson, Ariz., Kathy Creager of Springville, Bella Rice of Worthington, Charles Rice of Mississippi, William Rice of Oregon, and Donald Rice of Moscow, Ohio; a sister Barbara J. Sheese of Freedom; and five brothers, Everett A. Herrington of Worthington, Richard D. Herrington of Freedom, Charles W. Herrington of Martinsville, Robert L. Herrington of Spencer, and Jerry Herrington of Gosport; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Silas Rice, who passed away in 1984, two sisters, Irene Truax and Joan R. Stahl, and a brother James M. Herrington.

Funeral service will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at West & Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home, 105 N. Montgomery, Spencer. Burial will be in Pleasant Bethel Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.