A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ellen Rhodes, 81, of Newark, will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 21, 2026, with Fr. Anthony Dinovo as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery, DeTour, MI, where Mary Ellen will be laid to rest with her parents.

Mary Ellen passed away at The Laurels of Heath, surrounded by the love of her family, on Thursday, February 12, 2026.  She was born in Detroit, MI on December 18, 1944, to the late Robert and Beatrice (Strickland) McDonald.

A longtime member of St. Leonard Catholic Church, Mary Ellen had a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was retired from Moundbuilders Guidance Center where she worked as a medical transcriptionist. She was also a volunteer for Hospice of Central Ohio, American Cancer Society, and the Humane Society.

Mary Ellen cherished her family and loved visiting the beaches from home and sticking her toes into the sand. She held fond memories of the theater group that she belonged to while in Michigan.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Kelli Rhodes and Christina (Charles) Courson; sister, Clare McDonald (Linda McGraw); 3 grandchildren, Dennis (Jesika) Downs III, Kevin J. Downs, and Heather Marie Courson; and 3 great-grandchildren, Daren, Mila and Aiden.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her brother, Robert (Sandra) McDonald.

Calling will be held at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 4-6 P.M., Friday, February 20, 2026, with a Vigil Service held at 5:30 P.M.

Memorials in Mary Ellen's name can be made to the American Cancer Society or the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society, P.O. Box 307, Drummond Island, MI 49726.

To share your memory of Mary Ellen or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com