Ruth, Mary S. Pletscher (1870-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Oct 31 p. 3, 7

Birth date: 1870 Sep 3

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY S. RUTH

Mrs. Mary S. Ruth, daughter of Michael and Anna Pletscher, was born on a farm near Trenton, Clinton county, Illinois, on September 3, 1870. She passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon, October 17, 1946, at the age of 76 years, one month and 14 days. She had not been well for several months during spring, but she seemed to have recovered fairly well from her recent sickness when she was struck down with a heart attack.

On October 28, 1884, she made a public confession of her faith in Christ and was baptized by Rev. Jacob E. Krehbiel and received into the fellowship of the First Mennonite church at Summerfield, Ill. She remained an active, devoted, and consecrated servant until her Master called her home to her eternal reward. She was also a faithful member of the women’s missionary society and did all she could to spread the Gospel of Christ and to help relieve the suffering of the world.

On March 15, 1890, she was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Jacob H. Ruth. After their marriage, they moved on a farm in Mascoutah township about five miles southeast from Summerfield where she resided until 1923, when she moved to Summerfield and had been living there ever since.

This union was blessed with five sons, all of whom are still living. Her husband passed away on January 16, 1914, and the responsibility for caring and providing for her children fell upon her, but her faith in God sustained and kept her in all her hardships and trials.

One brother, two half-brothers, and one half-sister preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her departure her five sons: Walter S. And Henry J. of Mascoutah township, Albert J. And Clarence W. of St. Louis, Mo., and David M., who was living with his mother at Summerfield; three daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson. She is also survived by one step-brother, Adolph Pletscher of Trenton, Ill.; and five step-sisters, Mrs. Ida Stuemky of Newkirk, Okla., Mrs. Myrtha Baer and Mrs. Amanda Dagit of New Baden, Ill., Mrs. Della Baer of Mascoutah township, and Mrs. Anna Harpstrite of Trenton, Ill., and many nephews and nieces besides many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20, at the First Mennonite church of Summerfield. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. Elmer Basinger, who spoke on “The Overcoming Saints of God” based upon Rev. 3:5. He was assisted by his son, Rev. Carlus O. Basinger from Port Washington, Wis. A quartet sang “the Old Rugged Cross” and a duet was rendered by Miss Frances Baer and miss Crystal Heer. They sang “In the Garden.” Burial was made in the Mennonite cemetery beside the grave of her husband. The services were attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends.

The Mennonite obituary: 1946 Nov 5 p. 6