Ruth, Mary Baer (1855-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jan 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1855 Oct 29

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY BAER RUTH

Mary E., daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Berger Baer, was born in Caseyville township, Ill., on Oct. 29, 1855. Some years later her parents moved to a farm near Summerfield, Ill.

She passed away peacefully and quietly at 5:30 in the morning of Jan. 5, 1950, bringing her age to 94 years, two months and six days. She had been ailing from the infirmities of old age for the past two years.

She was united in marriage with Peter Ruth on Sept 30, 1876, and for the most part of their married life they lived on their farm near Summerfield. To this union seven sons were born. Five of these preceded her in death. Her husband passed away on Jan. 9, 1893. She continued to make her home on the farm until 1927 when she went to live with her son Robert near O'Fallon.

She united with the Summerfield Mennonite church early in life and was the oldest member of the church.

Two sons survive her, Robert of near O’Fallon and Alfred W. of Toledo, Ohio. Also two step-children, Oscar Ruth of Geary, Okla., and Mrs. Bertha Ledig of Upland, Calif., one brother, Sam J. Baer of Belleville, Ill., and one sister, Mrs. Barbara Kliewer of Halstead, Kansas, survive her. Three brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. There are also nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Summerfield Mennonite church on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 7, with Rev. A. S. Bechtel, a former pastor, bringing the message. Rev. Henry Grimm, the pastor of the church, had charge of the service. Her body was laid away in the Summerfield cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Jan 31 p. 74