Lillie “Ruth” Deel, age 82, of Marengo, died Thursday morning, January 24, 2013, at the Knox Community Hospital.
On October 29, 1930, Ruth was born in Marion, the daughter of the late Oscar Leonard and Stella Mae (Bowman) Pemberton. She graduated from Marengo High School in the Class of 1948.
Ruth married the love of her life, Kenneth Lester Deel, on January 21, 1950 at her parents house in Marengo. Together they shared over 63 wonderful years of marriage, raising seven children along the way.
Ruth worked as a nurse’s assistant at the Morrow County Hospital for 21 years. She was a member of the Golden Twig where she volunteered in the gift shop.
For most of her life, Ruth attended and was a member of the Alum Creek Friends Church. She sang in the choir for many years and loved talking to people and handing out bulletins before the Sunday church services.
Gifted with her hands, Ruth created many things by crocheting. She made numerous afghans, angels for Christmas trees, tablecloths, and recently was making baby blankets for Heartbeat.
Ruth’s family was very special to her. She kept a very large vegetable garden to help feed her family, especially while her children were growing up. They spent many afternoons on family trips to COSI. She and Kenneth enjoyed time as a couple bowling in mixed leagues. When she found time to herself she was an avid reader.
She will always be remembered for how pleasant and loveable she was towards everyone, never meeting a stranger.
Ruth will be dearly missed by her husband, Kenneth, of Marengo; four sons: Keith A. (Jan) Deel of Ashville, Brian S. (Lou Ann) Deel of Pendleton, IN, Steven K. (Connie) Deel of Sunbury, Raymond B. (Patricia) Deel of Delaware; three daughters: Sandra E. (Dan) Ackerman of Edison, Beverly D. Deel of Marengo, Susan J. Deel of Marengo; and eight grandchildren: Erin, Colleen, Paul, Lacy, Kyle, Clay, Tyler, and Jared.
In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Pemberton.
The Deel family will greet friends from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2013, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the Alum Creek Friends Church, 3385 State Route 229, Marengo, Ohio, with Pastor Greg Rice officiating. Burial will follow in the Alum Creek Friends Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Alum Creek Friends Church.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Ruth’s family and you may express your private condolences to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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