Selinsgrove Bus Driver and Selsyn Secretary Christina Rice Dies at 50

Christina Rice, a familiar presence on Selinsgrove school routes and a longtime office face at Selsyn Electric in Sunbury, died Jan. 21 at UPMC Williamsport Hospital. She was 50.

Rice devoted 20 years to driving for Rohrer Bus, a role that made her part of daily routines for local students and families. Her work transporting children and her office role at Selsyn Electric meant she moved through multiple circles in Union County, building relationships across generations and workplaces. Those connections underscore how the loss of an essential worker reverberates beyond a single household.

Born May 23, 1975, in Lewisburg, Rice was a follower of the United Pentecostal Church in Lewisburg. She enjoyed puzzles and treasured time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Michael Rice, a son, four daughters, siblings, and grandchildren.

For Selinsgrove parents who relied on Rice’s steady presence at the wheel, her death is a practical and emotional disruption. Regular drivers become trusted caregivers in the eyes of children and their families; their absence highlights the importance of recognition, support and contingency planning for transportation staff. For coworkers at Selsyn Electric and neighbors in Sunbury and Lewisburg, the loss is both personal and civic, a reminder of how local businesses and institutions depend on long-serving staff.

Rice’s passing at 50 also touches on broader public health and social equity considerations for Union County. Unexpected midlife deaths strain household finances, child care arrangements and the informal caregiving networks many families rely on. They also spotlight the need for accessible health care and bereavement supports for working families, particularly those whose employment links them to multiple community roles.

Visitation will be held at V.L. Seebold Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan. 31, followed by a memorial service. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Freeburg. In lieu of flowers, contributions have been suggested to Haven to Home Canine Rescue as a way to honor Rice’s memory.

As Selinsgrove and surrounding communities prepare to gather, neighbors and institutions will be called on to fill practical gaps and offer support to the Rice family. The coming memorial provides an occasion for the community to acknowledge the everyday labor of school bus drivers and office staff whose steady work undergirds local life.