Elena Rice Disney

Ecclesiastes 3 says `to everything there is a season; a time to live and a time to die`. My season ended on March 7, 2005 at my home with my family at my side. I have lived a good life, with more wins that losses. I entered this life at a time of world crisis, which my own father was helping to end. I was born to Stanton and Juanita (Travelstead) Farthing on October 30, 1944. Daddy was in France at the time and did not see me until I was 9 months of age. I grew up in Marion, graduating from Marion High School in 1962. While still a senior there, I married my long-time sweetheart, Jerry Rice. God blessed this union with three beautiful children, whom I leave behind. Robert Ray and Kris Rice, Rhonda and Angelo Peritore and Rodney and Trevor Rice. They in turn, gave us seven precious grandchildren, Jessica and Jenna Rice, Salvatore, Sierra and Shelby Peritore, and Drake and Evan Rice. I also leave behind my parents; my dear husband, Ray Disney; and two brothers and their wives, Robert Lee and Linda Farthing of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Clyde Ray and Paula Farthing of Marion; step-daughter, Robin Disney of Indianapolis, Indiana; a mother-in-law in kind, Deloris Grimes of Evansville, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. Loved ones who have gone on before me include my husband, Jerry Rice; and my grandparents, Roy and Mittie Farthing and Clarence and Iva Travelstead. The terrible disease of cancer took Jerry from us in 1983 just as it has taken me now. But in His infinite wisdom, God had a plan for another man to come into our lives who would love not only me, but also my children and grandchildren as his own. I married Ray Disney on New Years Day, 1986, and he has been a constant strength to me all these years since. I often referred to him as `the scotch under the wheel` as he always stood beside me in whatever venture I was involved. Together, we have truly enjoyed our retirement years in our little cabin on the lake. For many years I enjoyed planning and leading group tours. The last five years before retirement, I owned Tours by Design of Evansville, Indiana. I have been fortunate enough to see many beautiful places in these United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. First Church of God has always been a very important part of my life. I enjoyed singing in the choir, playing the organ, planning bus trips and coordinating the Easter drama. I have also tried to be an encouragement to other women going through breast cancer by volunteering for the Reach to Recovery Program of the American Cancer Society. My desire in death, as it was in life, is that my family and friends will all meet me in heaven where I will be waiting for them. Blue Funeral Home of Marion will be handling the arrangements for a service celebration at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at the First Church of God with Reverend Mike Ebert and Reverend Paul Ramsey officiating. Visitation will be after 5:00 PM, Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion and also after 9:00 AM, Wednesday at the church. I will be laid to rest next to the father of my children, at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Energy. Please do not buy flowers for me, instead make a donation to the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.