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Funeral: 3 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery
Ruth Ann "Ruthie" (Schwager) Meyer, 90, of Flora, Illinois, took her final step “onward and upward” on December 9, 2014. Her life was the depiction of this phrase as she daily encouraged people to “forget unpleasant experiences and failures and think about the future instead.” Ruthie always was concerned about others’ feelings and needs and found ways to build them up with love and kind words. Even during her frequent hospital stays in her later years, she offered hospitality to her visitors and the hospital staffs.
She taught her children to consider other peoples’ feelings and give them, like she did, the benefit of the doubt. She nursed five family members through their final days. She gave sacrificially without complaint, always being sensitive to those who others might not notice were hurting. She didn’t acquire any initials after her name other than possibly, ELW & M, “Ever Loving Wife and Mother.” She suffered much in her final years but now she is free from all of her pain, enjoying fellowship with God.
The third daughter of Harry and Violet Schwager, Ruth Ann was born in Chenoa, Illinois, on June 17, 1924. As a child she enjoyed riding horses and tagging along with her father as he worked his cattle stockyard. She and her husband Jack Meyer met in 1944 and would have celebrated 70 years of marriage on December 23, 2014. They have been lifelong residents of Flora except for a few years during and after World War ll.
She is survived by her husband Jack, their children Carol (Mark) Cabaj, Normal, Illinois, Paul (Julie) Meyer, Kansas City, Missouri, and Janet (Gregg) Dixon, Fairhope, Alabama; grandchildren Luke (Caryn) Dixon, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Daniel Dixon, Austin, Texas, Elizabeth Dixon, Oxford, Mississippi, Kerry Meyer, (Tom Mullins) Denver, Colorado, Zachary Meyer, Tempe, Arizona, and Whitney (John) Cox, Louisville, Kentucky; and great-grandchildren, Jameson Cox and Hayley Dixon.
Ruth Ann graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in journalism in 1943. While there she was one of the first women editors of the Daily Illini Newspaper. She also was one of the first women cheerleaders at the University during World War II and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. While Jack went to law school at Washington University in St. Louis after the War, Ruthie worked as an editor for the Christian Board of Publication.
Ruthie had a heart for service to God and it was evidenced by her loving devotion as a helpmate to her husband, as a mother and grandmother, and as a member of her church. She was most happy when she was giving of herself to help others. She was an excellent cook and baker and fixed delicious meals for guests and missionaries in her home as well as for those who were suffering. She was an expert seamstress and tailor, making clothes for her family as well as manger scene costumes and the drapes for the baptistery of the First Christian Church. Ruth Ann taught seventh grade girls Sunday school class for 21 years. She was an elder’s wife, member of the Win-A Couple Sunday School class, Women’s Missionary Circle, the Garden Club, and the Women’s Republican Club.
The funeral service for Ruth Ann is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, 500 North Main Street, Flora, Illinois, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Visitation will precede the service at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P. O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491, www.arthritis.org, or to the Ruth Ann Meyer Memorial Scholarship Fund at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp, 555 Park Road, Flora, IL 62839, [email protected].
The family would like to express their greatest appreciation to the caregivers that so tenderly cared for Ruthie in her last days. She was truly loved by her family and friends and memories of her will be cherished forever.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Our very sincere condolences to the family. Mrs. Meyer was a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, loving woman.
Ruth Ann was such a lovely, caring lady. She will be missed, but we do know that she achieved a much greater place. May God bless all the family, and may He grant you comfort and peace in the days that lie ahead.
So sorry for your loss. She was so sweet and beautiful!
To the family - So sorry for your loss. Ruth Ann was always so sweet and kind and will be deeply missed.
Jack, Paul, Carol, Janet and Families: We are so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet lady who always had a beautiful smile every time we saw her. We have many fond memories. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Such a wonderful, special woman. Her warmth and love was apparent to me even at a very young age. Prayers for all your family.
It did not matter if Ruthie was in joy or in pain, she always encouraged me during phone calls, e-mails, face-to-face visits and hugs. She will always be dear to my heart. Onward and Upward, Ruthie!
Dear Meyer Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you in the passing of your wife and mother. She was a woman to be admired--a real Proverbs 31 lady. Her family was the center of her world. Even so, her joy and kindness were felt by so many others and her light shines on.
Jack.....we are so sorry for the loss of your lovely wife. Ruthie was a gem. She had grace and charm and she was a role model on how to be a lady! We pray for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Jack and Family May Memories sustain you as you reflect on Ruths life. She was a sweet gal.
Ruthie was truly one of the sweetest people I have ever met, I will miss her smile. She was always such a positive person and she clearly loved Jack and her family dearly! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Prayers to the family! Ruthie was such a sweet solid Chritian.
Such a wonderful lady
Our sympathy and prayers to Ruth Ann's family. She was a beautiful, loving and cheerful Christian woman. In Christ, David and Carol Kimbrel
We are so very sorry for you loss. Ruthie was always such a sweet and loving woman, A wife, mother and grandmother will truly be missed, but her love will be with you forever.
So sad to hear of your loss. Although I did not know her real well, she was one of the most beautiful and indeed elegant ladies of Flora, Il.
What a lovely lady Ruth was--always so kind and thoughtful. So sorry for your loss.
Carol and Mark, It was a great obituary and I think I know your mother a little better because of it. She sounds a lot like my mom who also died at 90. Marcy and I are sorry for your loss but as you said she is in a better place with no pain. 70 years of marriage is quite an accomplishment. I know that you have been there for her your whole life and especially the last few years. She is lucky to have you, Mark and your family there for her. Ed and Marcy
My Friend 'John R'., You have experienced the greatest blessing a man could ever receive during his lifetime here on this Earth... a wonderful, loving Christian Wife. I, as well, have had that very same blessing for the past 48 years. All to His Glory, my Friend. -Carl C.
Our sincere condolence to your family for the loss of such a precious family member. May the God of all Comfort supply your peace at this time. You are loved and treasured by your Church family in Alabama.
What a sweet Christian Lady....whe will be missed greatly. May the Love of the Father give you peace and solace at this time of sorrow. Keith
Paul and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. The death of a Mother is the first sorrow wept without her.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
