Ruth E. Biddle, age 89, of Chesterville and formerly of Mount Gilead

Ruth E. Biddle, age 89, of Chesterville and formerly of Mount Gilead died Saturday afternoon, April 3, 2010 at Morrow Manor in Chesterville.

She was born in Columbus, Ohio the daughter of the late Merril C. and Mary E. (Sutton) Beougher. On December 5, 1951 she married George D. Biddle at the Hansberger Church in Columbus. They were married for 57 years before his passing on January 13, 2009.

Ruth was a very traditional wife, always remaining in the background with her soft spoken and quiet nature. Ruth was a member of the Peace United Methodist Church in Columbus where she was their secretary for many years. She later used her secretarial skills at the Ohio Department of health. After her retirement from the department of health, Ruth and George moved to Morrow County. Aside from their winter trips to Silver Springs, Florida, they lived in the area for 27 years. As a member of the local “breakfast club”, Ruth looked forward to her daily trip to either McDonalds or the Gathering Inn. Ruth was notorious for her sweet tooth and loved all things chocolate. She also collected bells and could always be found with a pug at her side.

Music played a very important role in Ruth’s life; she was a member of the church choir, played the violin and piano, and when within earshot you could always hear her humming a tune. More recently she learned how to play the Hammer Dulcimer.

Ruth did taxes from January to January and always had various tax forms on her kitchen table. Her first statement upon entering her heavenly home may be, “No more taxes!”.

She will be remembered as a caring and loving woman who had the adoration of all of her family and friends.

In addition her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by a great grandchild; her two brothers Raymond and Howard Beougher; and her sister Dorothy Beougher.

Ruth will be missed by her three daughters: Ellen Gamble of Gahanna, Mariann (Michael) Merrick of Mount Gilead, and Carol (Dale) Martin of Columbus; son, Paul (Jackie) Biddle of Caledonia; twelve grandchildren: Jeremy, Aaron (Marsha), Brian, Logan, and Preston Gamble, Tim (Heather) Merrick, Tracy (Dave) Stone, Jenna, Dale, and Wyatt Martin, and Tom (Linda), and Shelby Biddle; and fourteen great-grandchildren and two on the way.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Craven Chapel, 67 North Main Street, Mount Gilead, with Pastor Okie Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville. Friends may call from noon until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Morrow Manor Activity Dept., P. O. Box 44, Chesterville, Ohio 43317, or to Acclaim Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43231.

For those wishing to express their condolences to Ruth’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.