Ricki Ellen Spicer, 77, of Rochester, died Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Cleveland Clinic after a brief illness. Born on November 27, 1947 in Oberlin, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ruth (nee Riebe) Ulm. Ricki was a 1965 graduate of New London High School and earned degrees from Ashland College.

Ricki was passionate about helping those with developmental disabilities and worked at Murray Ridge for several years. She was a special education teacher and work study coordinator at Elyria High School and then Wellington High School. For Ricki, teaching was not reserved for the classroom, it was a part of who she was.

Faith was an integral part of Ricki's life, and she was a dedicated member of the Rochester United Methodist Church. There she was involved in lay ministry, attended the annual conference, and sang in the Brichester Choir. Very civic minded, she was an active member of her community and was a member of the Wellington Kiwanis. Ricki was multi-talented and gifted with many skills, including playing and teaching the dulcimer, quilting and painting. She was very musical and apart from singing and playing the dulcimer, she also learned to play the guitar, trumpet, baritone,  piano, organ, and upright bass. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her devotion to her faith, and her spirit of service for others.

Survivors include her children, James (Holly) Mitchell, of Elyria, Joshua Mitchell, of Rochester, Candy (Jim) Strauser, of Sheffield Lake, Shirley (Fritz) McAtee, of Lorain, Serina Conlan, of South Amherst, Catherine (Mike) Tokar, of Fl, Maria Miller, of Oberlin, and Raymond Scott (Linda) Tyree, of LaPorte; 26 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; siblings,  Rita (Dale) Bodey, Rollie (Bertie) Ulm, and Ruthann (Mike) Kennedy; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog Charlie. Ricki was preceded in death by her husband William Spicer in January of this year; her parents, Robert Ulm and Ruth Cowie; step-father, Loren Buck Cowie; a son, Alan Tyree; brothers, Roger Ulm and Ron Ulm.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, March 23, from 2 p.m. until the time of the services beginning at 4 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main Street, Wellington. Burial will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery, Rochester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ricki's memory may be directed to the Rochester United Methodist Church, 201 South State St, Rochester, 44090. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared online at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Rochester United Methodist Church
201 South State Street, Wellington OH 44090