Ruth Louise Perry

1923 - 2016

BORN

1923

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Schneider Funeral Home - Mt. Vernon

512 Main St.

Mount Vernon, Indiana

Ruth Perry Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 16 to Aug. 31, 2016.

Ruth Louise (Claycamp) Perry, 93, passed away on August 11, 2016, at New Harmony Healthcare in New Harmony, IN.

Ruth was born on January 11, 1923 to Rev. Harold and Francis Claycamp. As the oldest of four children, she spent much of her childhood traveling with her father, an itinerant Methodist minister, on Sunday mornings where she played the piano and organ. Her parents' strong beliefs and work ethic translated into a lifelong commitment to her faith as Ruth spent most of her adult life playing the organ and teaching Sunday school classes.

At the age of five Ruth met her future husband, George Thomas "Tommy" Perry, when her family moved to Mt. Vernon. His mother charged him with taking a basket of apples to the new neighbors, and (as family legend has it) he went home to report that he has met his future wife. While there were not to be childhood sweethearts, Ruth and George began courting in earnest near the beginning of World War II. Numerous letters were exchanged between the young people as he went through basic training in Wisconsin and then was stationed in Mississippi. It was at this time that her parents gave her a bus ticket to Mississippi and sent their eldest off to be married. A harrowing bus ride, the failure of George to meet her at the bus stop, difficulty finding a minister, and sharing a bed with another couple eventually found them married and the country on the brink of war. While he was temporarily stationed in California, Ruth (never one to be intimidated) took a solo, cross-country bus trip to visit him. George was ultimately sent to the South Pacific but not before Ruth gave birth to their first daughter, Sandy, whom she raised as a single parent for the duration of George's deployment.

After the war, George returned home to a job as a carpenter and Ruth adjusted to life as a wife. Their marriage was as typical as it could be with two stubborn people. Not one to be told what to do, Ruth briefly worked at a grocery store and enjoyed bowling with friends despite George's protests. Eventually, they had another daughter, Janet, and life settled into a pattern of mid-west domesticity. Ruth enjoyed working in the yard, bird watching, sewing, puzzles, and ironing. While cooking wasn't her passion, her pot-roast was the stuff of legend in her family.

Ruth's home was the hub around which the extended family revolved. On Sunday afternoons, holidays, and many lunch hours, she could be found in the kitchen making sure that no one left her house hungry. Those who knew Ruth are better for having done so. Her vigilant love and support formed those around her into better people, which can be summarized by a piece she wrote for a Sunday school class: "As grandmothers, we have maybe more influence on our grandchildren than parents have. We must be sure that what we say to them has foundation in what they see in our lives everyday. The best tribute to our lives is seen in the lives of the ones we have influenced. Early training counts - even though it doesn't always work. Human beings being what they are have a free will and sometimes nothing can reach them. Then we have to pray that if it's God's will - He can reach them."


She was preceded in death by her husband, George Thomas Perry; brother, Alfred "Bud" Claycamp; sister, Elma L. Heady; and great-grandson, Cole Thomas Roos.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Roos and Janet (Paul) Hoehn, both of Mt. Vernon, IN; sister Roberta (Carl) Kaetzel of Dale, IN; grandchildren, Brian (Kimberly) Roos, Brent (Mandy) Roos, Ryan (Jyl) Hoehn, Nicholas (Jessica) Hoehn, and Traci Hoehn, all of Mt. Vernon, IN; great-grandchildren, Ranger Davis, James Davis, Tyler Roos, Alexandra Hoehn, Logan Hoehn, Kirston Jewell, Luke Hoehn, and Maria Hoehn; and longtime friends and neighbors, William and Judy Meyer.

Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. service time. Burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff of New Harmony Healthcare Center and Heritage Hospice for their care, patience, and concern for Ruth.

Condolences may be made online at www.schneiderfuneralhome.com

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2 Entries

August 17, 2016

Sandy so sorry to of your Mother passing away. Have been in hospital so have not seen the paper. Hope you are doing well. Don't know when I lost you as a friend on . Barbara Williams

August 17, 2016

Martha Uhde Maile

Sandy and Janet, sorry for the loss of your mother. Memories go way back!

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Memorial Events
for Ruth Perry

Aug

19

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Schneider Funeral Home - Mt. Vernon

512 Main St. P.O. Box 785, Mount Vernon, IN 47620

Aug

19

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Schneider Funeral Home - Mt. Vernon

512 Main St. P.O. Box 785, Mount Vernon, IN 47620

Funeral services provided by:

Schneider Funeral Home - Mt. Vernon

512 Main St. P.O. Box 785, Mount Vernon, IN 47620

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