Maxine C. Ruffini

Maxine C. Ruffini, age 80, of New Philadelphia, and a longtime former resident of Uhrichsville, died peacefully Tuesday morning, June 12, 2007 in Union Hospital at Dover. Born August 2, 1926 at Uhrichsville, Maxine was a daughter of the late Clyde A. and Opal Laughlin Frye. Maxine’s father, Clyde, is remembered by many as the former chief of the fire department at Uhrichsville. Maxine graduated from Uhrichsville High School and spent most of her life in the community. She attended Immaculate Conception at Dennison many years ago. Maxine was always proud to have been the first person hired by the late Louie Contini when he opened Rich Industries from a garage in Uhrichsville. All told, Maxine spent 27 years with the company, and retired as supervisor of the sewing department. She made many lifelong friends from her work including Edna Barbee, Judy Haney and Bill Arnold among others. She’ll be remembered as an excellent cook and baker. Fresh deserts were common in the kitchen, but always extraordinary in taste. A talented seamstress, Maxine made clothes for many members of her family. A very giving and loving lady, she enjoyed baking and sharing food with family and friends. Maxine was married to the late Floyd V. “Flex” Ruffini for fifty-six years. The couple wed September 2, 1950, and her beloved husband died the day after they observed their last anniversary on September 3, 2006. She’ll be sadly missed by her son Bro. Larry A. (Sue) Bricker of Deltona, Florida, and a daughter, Marla K (husband Mike) Gambs of New Philadelphia. Three grandchildren, Shawna S. Bricker of Deltona, Florida, Shanan (husband Brian) Steed of Uhrichsville, and Autum Steinbach of New Philadelphia, five great-grandchildren, two sisters, Helen Clements of New Philadelphia, and Juanita (husband Robert) Goodwin of Bolivar as well as two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Ingland of New Philadelphia, and Florence Berni of Dennison, and brothers-in-law, William (wife Lillian) Ruffini of New Philadelphia, and Joe Ruffini of Uhrichsville, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, her best friend, Marge (husband Bud) Brewer of Nokomis, Florida, and her godmother, Odile Soehnlen, complete the family. In addition to her parents and husband, Maxine was preceded in death by her sister Velma J. DeSerio, a brother, Clyde “Bud” Frye, and an infant brother Albert Frye. Friends are invited to call Friday (TODAY) evening from 6PM Â? 8PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor David Wing of the Dover Foursquare Gospel Church, and her son, Brother Larry Bricker will lead services Saturday morning at 11AM in the funeral home’s chapel where friends can also call one hour prior to services. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery at Uhrichsville. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.