Anna Ruth Peoples

Anna Ruth Peoples, 97, of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in New Dawn Retirement Community at Dover following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late Charles H. and Edith May (Wilson) Mitchell, Ruth was born May 8, 1915 at Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Ruth graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1932. She then continued her education by attending Safford’s Business College. She served as the Secretary for the New Philadelphia Board of Education for 14 years and then with the Ohio Department of Transportation for 16 years before retiring in 1977.

She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia where she was also a member of the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Ft. Laurens Chapter of the D.A.R. and the former Tri-Arts Club. Ruth enjoyed geneology and traveling, with her favorite vacation being to England.

Surviving is her son and daughter-in-law, David and Jane Peoples of New Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Carl (Nicki) Peoples of Knoxville, Tennessee and Clayton (Ivy) Peoples of Reno, Nevada; four great grandchildren, Mitchell, Nina, Bella and Ian Peoples and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold D. Peoples who passed away on December 27, 1950; two daughters, Janet and Phyllis Peoples, a sister, Gladys Adams and three brothers, Robert, John and Charles Mitchell.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Ruth’s life will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Steven Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Ruth by visiting the funeral home website, www.geibcares.com

Contributions may be made in Anna’s memory to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.