Collection 00/MS.321 - Oscar P. Ruth and Abigail Ringelman Ruth Papers

<em>Mennonite Weekly Review</em> obituary:

Oscar P. Ruth, our husband and father, was born August 25, 1872, in Summerfield, Ill., and died in Geary, Okla. March 12, 1961. He reached the age of 88 years, six months and 15 days. In his late teens he was baptized upon his confession of faith and joined the Summerfield Mennonite Church.

After several years in the U. S. army, which time he participated in the invasion of Cuba in the Spanish-American War, he came to Geary in 1898. He joined the First Mennonite Church and remained an active member till his death.

On Jan. 24, 1901 he was united in marriage with Abigail Ringelman by Rev. J. S. Krehbiel. This union was blessed with four children, two girls and two boys. One daughter, Hazel, died in infancy.

Bro. Ruth had a keen sense of responsibility as to his place in the community as well as in the church of his faith. In the community he helped organize the fire department and was a member for 28 years and chief for 17 years. He was active in the construction of the Geary Mill and was its fireman for several years. He was light and water commissioner for 17 years and city treasurer for 10 years. He was well known as the volunteer weather observer for 48 years.

He was Sunday school teacher and superintendent for many years, deacon of the church, and church secretary for 40 years.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Abigail Ruth; one daughter, Helen, of the home; two sons, Nelson of Weybridge, England, and Kent of the home; two grandsons, Jon Ruth of Carlisle, Pa. and Charles Ruth of Berlin, Germany; besides a large circle of other relatives and friends.