Ruth Ellis

Ruth M. Ellis, age 92, formerly of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Country Club Retirement Center at Dover.

A daughter of the late Rudolph and Helen (Bender) Richard, Ruth was born at Dover on May 11, 1920. She was a 1938 graduate of Dover High School and the LaSalle Business School.

During World War II, Ruth worked as a nurse’s aide at Union Hospital as a volunteer for the Red Cross. Along with her father and sister, Ruth supported the home front war effort by serving as a Canteen Volunteer at the Dennison Depot.

On April 14, 1946, Ruth married Mr. John Ellis and together the couple reared two children and owned and operated Ellis Meat and Freezer Processing for 36 years. Aside from her work with her husband, Ruth worked for 10 years for Dr. H. Judson Reamy and 27 years at Dover Chemical Corporation ultimately retiring in 1985.

Ruth was as charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 205 of Dover, a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a charter member of the American Business Women’s Association.

Aside from her civic involvement, Ruth was active within her church, First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia, where she served as a member of the board for the Ladies Fellowship, was a member of the Ruth Circle and the Call-to-Care group.

Ruth is survived by her son, John R. (Marylou) Ellis of Nashport; her daughter, Joan (Richard) Schwartz of New Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Shana (Christian Haas) Carman and Scott (Winona McCoun) Goss; step grandchildren, Chad, Jay and Rick Schwartz, Shelia Penley, Belinda Furgiuele and Scott Summerfield; 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, John Ellis, who died on June 12, 2010 and a sister, Mildred Stocker who died in December, 1998.

The family will greet guests on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastors Jeff Gerber and Jill Lovett will lead a service celebrating Ruth’s life on Saturday March 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial alongside her husband will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be directed to the First United Church of Christ, PO BOX 422, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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’s website at www.GeibCares.com.