Mary Ellen (Wahl) Rison

Mary Ellen (Wahl) Rison, born November 6, 1945, passed into the arms of Jesus on December 7, 2023, where she was met by her parents, Freeman and Mary (Turner) Wahl, her siblings: Dick, Donnie, Bob, Chuck and Alice Wahl, and her son, DonaldRison. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Rev. David Rison; her brother, Bill (Barb) Wahl; her children, Laurie (Kevin) Wells and David (Karla) Rison and her grandchildren: Hannah, Jordan, Emmarsyn, David Charles, Grace Ellen, Faith, JennaJoy, Elijah and Hope.

Mary was a 1963 graduate of Swanton High School with her best friend forever, Andrea (Najarian) Beck Warling. She also followed her husband to Nazarene Bible School and graduated in 1978 with a music degree. Mary loved her family and her God fiercely, but what she didn’t love, and won’t thank us for, are photos of herself. We have to include one and we’re going back a few years, so that when we meet her again, she won’t still be mad about this.

Mary Ellen was a firm believer that Jesus went to prepare a place for her and that there would be no sadness or pain or infirmity, all of which she experienced here, so while we’re sad for us, we’re happy for her. She fought the good fight and we have no doubt she’s hearing the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

There will be no memorial service. If you have a mind to send something, flowers fade, but donations to your favorite charity do so much more.