Ruth Ellen Reasor

NAPERVILLE, IL – Ruth Ellen Reasor, age 98 of Naperville, Illinois and formerly of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Edwards Hospital in Naperville.  A private graveside service was held for her immediate family at noon on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston with Pastor Tom Hillertz officiating.  It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to a church or charity of the donor’s preference.  Gifts may also be mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. 

Ruth was born March 21, 1919 in Shelby County, Illinois, the daughter of the late Dennis and Mabel (Brown) Hawley.  She married Walter H. Reasor, Jr. on January 7, 1938 in Knox, Indiana and they shared 34 years of marriage prior to his death on October 27, 1973.  Ruth is survived by four loving and devoted daughters, Julie Fischer of Naperville, Illinois, Margaret Ann “Peg” Davis and husband Joe of Sturgis, Michigan, Catherine M. Stickann and husband Richard of Rocheport, Missouri and Melanie Jane Reasor of Conyers, Georgia;  a daughter-in-law, Ferne Reasor; a son-in-law, Larry Higginbotham; 24 grandchildren, Pam Hanebutt, Stephanie Holcomb, Deborah Beccassio, Melissa Reasor, Michelle St. John, Beth Higginbotham, Bill Higginbotham, Josh Fischer, Alison Jones, Cheryl O’Leary, Jeff Davis, Jana Davis, Carrie Chandwani, Lee Davis, Zachariah Davis, Glenn Davis, Katurah Güblatt, Zachary Stickann, Jacob Stickann, Isaac Stickann, Kearstin Godsey, Michelle Reasor-West, John Thomas Reasor and Stephanie Panhorst; 32 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Alice Wayland of Danville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews and their families.  In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by two sons, William S. Reasor and John R. Reasor; a daughter, Maribeth Higginbotham; two brothers, Glenn W. Hawley and Lester Waldo Hawley; two sisters, Wilma L. Bartos and Jeanette Plecker; and two sons-in-law, Gregory Fischer and Bruce Budbill. 

Ruth was a graduate of Danville High School and furthered her education at Eastern Illinois University.  Following her marriage to Walt, she devoted a great portion of her life to being a homemaker and creating a warm and inviting home for her family.  She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston and currently was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church family in Champaign.  Ruth could be referred to as a "volunteer extraordinaire” as she dedicated many hours volunteering at the Red Cross Blood Bank, as an auxiliary member at the Charleston Hospital, as a member of the Coles County Fair Board, and as a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader.  Ruth was an avid bowler, enjoyed golfing at the Charleston Country Club, playing bridge with her card clubs and competitive ballroom dancing.  She enjoyed needlework and was a skilled seamstress as was evident in the beautiful quilts she created.  Ruth also enjoyed nature and being outdoors and was quite knowledgeable regarding the different species of flowers and trees. 

Ruth was truly the matriarch of her family and they will forever cherish their many wonderful memories of the woman who influenced their lives through her loving care.