Pearl Rice Mechling Simmons, 94, of 136 Virginia Lane, died at 2:58 a.m. Saturday at UPMCPassavant.

Born Aug. 22, 1913, in Donegal Township, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Viola Hoover Brooks.

Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Simmons was a homemaker. She was employed at Scotts General Store in Fairview Township for 15 years. She was an aide for two years at Karns City School District, as well as Butler Catholic School for two years.

Mrs. Simmons is survived by a son, Charles D. Rice and his wife, Ann, of Cranberry Township; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Jessie Cumberland of Butler; a number of nieces and nephews; a stepson, Dr. Randon Simmons of Butler; three step-grandchildren; and her good friend and neighbor, Sandra Merchant.

Mrs. Simmons was preceded in death by her three husbands, Edison C. Rice, Charles Mechling and Raymond Simmons; a daughter, Josephine Barger; two sons, Thomas E. Rice and Benjamin Rice; two granddaughters, Cheryl Kay Rice and Ellen Rice Carfano; two sisters, Catherine Noel and Dolly Holben; and a stepbrother, Fred Brooks.

<B>SIMMONS</B> — Friends of Pearl Rice Mechling Simmons, who died Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home,</B> 124 E. North St., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Fairview United Methodist Church.Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Wade Berkey officiating.Burial will follow at Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia.The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Fairview United Methodist Church, 120 Chestnut St., Petrolia, PA 16050.