Ruth Ellen (Folsom) Buck, 92, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, just 3 days shy of her 93rd birthday.
Ruth was born on July 16, 1931, to Charles Eugene Folsom and Laura (Detwiler) Folsom/LeGrand. She is survived by her husband of 75 years, Joe Richard Buck Sr.; sons, Charles Eugene (Carol) and Joe Richard Jr. (Dina) of West Liberty, daughters, Laura Jane Bryant and Leona Joann O’Brien of West Liberty, daughter, Mary Barbara Hackett of Valley Hi, daughter, Nancy Catharine Hamilton (Wayne) of Urbana and daughter, Shari Lynn Jackson (Terrence) of Toledo; eighteen grandchildren, Charley (Laura), Clint and Cody Buck, John (Olivia) Bryant, George IV (Brandy) and Benjamin (Jennifer) Hackett, Rachel (Michael) Phelps, Sarah (Shane) Boggs, Emily Hamilton, Andy Stidham, Anna, Ashley, Joe III and Ava Buck, Chloe’ (LaMar) Jackson-Willis, Demaris, Jacob and Tyler Jackson; twenty-two great-grandchildren, Naomi and Lydia Buck, Tristan, Kaiyah and Tahlia Buck, Jasmine (Wes) Miller, Greg (Hannah) Bryant, Kennadie (Tyler) Bryant, Greyson, Isabella and George V Hackett, Allyn and Alexander Hackett, Hudson Phelps, Damen Young, Lane Boggs, Thane (Olivia) Piatt, Cole Piatt, Destinee Kenner, Haidden, Josiah, Naaman, Hadassah and Hope Stidham, and seven great-great-grandchildren, Sylvia, Alayah, Adalee, Hunter, Hazel, De’Aarion, Aviuanna, Everleigh and Remmington.
When Ruth was in high school, she worked at the Graystone restaurant in West Liberty. She spent many years helping Joe build a life farming, all while growing their family. Through the years, Ruth worked selling Avon and MaryKay, she hung wallpaper, babysat and altering clothing at Wolfheim’s in Bellefontaine, Ohio. In the eighties, she was the Ohio Department of Transportation, Administrative Assistant for District 7 in Sidney, Ohio. Ruth was very proud of her time with O.D.O.T., and often said her greatest accomplishment was fighting for and securing a flashing traffic light at the intersection of State Routes 274 and 235 near the Indian Lake High School. Ruth also served as the Chairwomen of the Champaign County Board of Elections for nearly a decade. Ruth was very active in Ohio politics, supporting the Democratic Party at every level of government; township, county, district, state and national. Ruth faithfully helped organize and man the Democratic Tent at the Champaign County Fair, every year.
If you knew Ruth, you soon recognized her love for the arts and her creative genius. Whether gardening, canning, baking, sewing/quilting or singing, she was a star. She gardened and canned all of her life, surely 1000’s of jars. She was particularly famous for her pin money pickles and ketchup. Ruth was a member of the local Home Extension Club and enjoyed the company of her friends while learning homemaking tips and new recipes. Ruth baked her own bread for 25 years. Many were blessed to experience her sour cream cinnamon rolls (if you know, you know). A member of the United Church of Christ for nearly 75 years, there was a time, while on the greeter’s committee, Ruth offered a loaf of bread, or a pan of rolls to fellow parishioners who would volunteer to greet each Sunday. During those years, there was never an issue finding volunteers to greet. Ruth was an accomplished seamstress. She sewed the dresses for three of her daughter’s weddings, as well as prom dresses and other beautiful outfits. She was an avid quilter, silk ribbon embroider and maker of teddy bears, winning many blue ribbons and best of show awards for what can only be described as masterpieces. Ruth was a member of the Champaign County Quilt Guild and participated in the annual Adriel Quilt Auction. For years, Ruth and Joe would ‘snowbird’ to Florida, and she gave quilting classes to her Florida friends. Ruth had the voice of an angel. Starting in school, she shared her gift of singing while performing in the Quintet, also singing for various weddings and funerals, in church choir, with the Champaign/Logan County Senior Centers, in the ‘Freedom Bound’ choir, with Sweet Adeline’s and even serenaded the cows in the milking parlor when washing the milkers, many times harmonizing with her children. She was also the church junior/senior choir director for many years. Music and singing is one thing that Alzheimer’s (dementia) did not rob her of, her ability to recognize and sing or hum along with familiar hymns and songs. She was singing to musicals mere days before she passed.
Her family will forever miss her steady presence and loving support. She had a way of making you feel special. We remember fondly the years she tirelessly operated ‘Grandma’s Taxi Service’. She was so dedicated to those she loved. Her special times with her grands would normally include ‘Smiley-Faced’ pancakes, and her special coffee served in miniature teacups (which was mostly cream and sugar). She rarely passed a fabric store without stopping. She loved to eat out (especially Chinese). She had a beautiful twinkle in her eyes, an adventurous spirit and liked to ‘GO’, right up to the end. Lastly, we will remember some of her most favorite sayings; “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all”, then more recently when she disagreed with anything, she would say, “BS, BS, BS!”, and when she was happy about something, she would say “Amen, Hallelujah!” Ruthie was indeed a very special lady.
Viewing will be held 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, and from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20th at the United Church of Christ, 212 Newell Street in West Liberty. Pastor Karen Griswold will officiate a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.
Ruth’s family asks that any donations given in her honor go to help support critical Alzheimer’s disease research. ‘Be Part of the Cure’
EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, WEST LIBERTY is honored to serve the Buck family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
