NEW BRAUNFELS, TEX. Mary Ellen Ritthaler Smelser, 84, died Monday, Nov. 6, in New Braunfels, Tex. of age-related causes.

She was born at Perry, Okla. on Nov. 3, 1922, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Richardson) Ritthaler. Mary Ellen was baptized in the First Christian Church at Perry. She graduated from high school in 1939 and attended Oklahoma College for Women and Oklahoma A & M.

Mary Ellen married Irwin “Neil” Smelser on April 10, 1948 at Enid, Okla. They made their home in Perry where their first two children were born. They relocated to Oregon in Jan., 1954 to begin a new life.

Mary Ellen was a secretary and word processor. She worked for the Department of Human Services in Perry and Austin, Tex. as well as in Oregon and California. She also worked at the First National Bank in Perry. She retired in Austin in Sept., 1993.

She was a marathon walker for special cause organizations, was a church pianist, and was active in her church, politics and civic-minded. In her youth, she was a member of Rainbow Girls, enjoyed horseback riding and fishing, which she continued to enjoy later in life. She belonged to the Austin Police Department’s Texas Volunteer Militia and was well respected in that community. She dreamed of becoming a realtor, and later in life succeeded in becoming a real estate agent in both Oregon and Texas.

Mary Ellen enjoyed long walks with a favorite dog, Scarlett. She loved her independence and refused to surrender it. She was the loving mother to three successful children, who, along with her many friends and extended family, will miss her quiet love and devotion.

Mary Ellen is survived by her ex-husband, Neil Smelser, of Stanfield; her children Marianne and Edwin K. Smelser of Hermiston; Karen and Gary Wilde of Arlington; and Mary Jo and Cliff Hyatt of New Braunfels, Tex.; brother Richard and Carol Ritthaler of Elk City, Okla.; two grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her sons, Frank James Smelser and John Carol Smelser; her brother Frank Ritthaler, Jr. and two sisters, Retta Ritthaler Marshall and Emmarie Ritthaler Gatewood.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at the First Christian Church in Perry. Rev. martin Foster will officiate. Internment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery at Perry.

Memorials made be made to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of Brown-Dugger Funeral Home of Perry, who is in care of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family using their online guest book at www.brown-duggerfuneralhome.com.