MANDRELL Ruth Mary Mandrell, 88, of Leesburg, Oh., passed away at her residence on Sunday morning, July 27, 2008, after a three year struggle with cancer. She was born on Van Pelt Rd., Clinton County, May 13, 1920, the daughter of the late Wayne and Mary Elvin VanPelt. In 1946, she married James H. Mandrell and he preceded her in death, June 11, 2001. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn E. (Stephen) Blethen of DeSoto, Tex.; 2 sons, James W. (Stacy) Mandrell of Grove City and Richard W. (Patricia) Mandrell of Westerville; grandchildren, Stephanie (Jason) Hooton, Heidi (Joshua) Lee, also Joni and Chad Mandrell, and Matt Mandrell; sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth "Betsy" and Dean "Oakie" Waddell; sister-in-law, Dolores Mandrell; nieces and nephew, Janet Barrett, Karen (Allen) Perry, Cindy (Chuck) Howe, Joan Hinman, Beth (Terry) Habermehl, Robert (Jan) Mandrell, Cindy Mandrell and Pamela (Floyd) Burtner; also several great-nieces and nephews; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert VanPelt, sister-in-law Cecilia Mandrell, brother-in-law William Mandrell and mother-in-law Elizabeth Mandrell. A 1938 graduate of Wayne Township High School, and a 1942 graduate of Ohio University, where her family legacy of graduates include her parents, herself, her three children, 2 grandchildren and extended family. She had retired from teaching Home Economics after 28 years, beginning the first two years in Bridgeport, Oh. and the remainder in the East Clinton School System. A member of the Lees Creek United Church of Christ where she served as moderator through out the years and in many other capacities including chairperson of the Election Day dinner for many years. She was a member of Clinton County Retired Teachers Association of Ohio, Wilson Homemakers and the Clinton County Homemakers Council, Sabina Senior Citizens and a member of Church Women United with whom she served on virtually every committee of the group, including two-time president and Key Woman Chairperson, and the recent recipient of the Valiant Woman Award. She loved gardening as her yard with flowers and vegatables was always a testament to that and an avid bridge player, belonging to several clubs. She was also known for her sewing and needlework skills which she taught to many others. She loved baking and numerous friends and family members have been blessed with her gifts of baked goods and needlework creations. She was also a reading mentor in the schools and loved attending all sporting and educational events of the school. Memorial Service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Lees Creek United Church of Christ, Lees Creek, Oh. with visitation at the LITTLETON FUNERAL HOME in Sabina from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Leesburg. Memorials may be made to the Lees Creek United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 32, Lees Creek, Oh. 45138, or the James Cancer Center, 300 W. Tenth Ave., Columbus, Oh. 43210. The family would like a special acknowledgement for all the care, love and help they received from Community Care Hospice, Carol Bogan Agency and Joy Howard Campbell. Sign the online guestbook at
www.dispatch.com/obituariesPublished by The Columbus Dispatch on Jul. 29, 2008.