Ruth Loukes

Ruth D. Loukes Charlton - Ruth D. Loukes, age 94, of Charlton, passed into glory on Sunday, January 7, 2024, just five days prior to her 95th birthday, at her warm and loving home, surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born in Hudson Falls, NY on January 12, 1929, and was the daughter of the late Nathan Sr. and Mina Dickinson, who were the owners of the Ideal Dairy Farms. This is where Ruth and her siblings learned to properly care for the animals on the farm, and to hone her skills of responsibility and dedication. She graduated from Hudson Falls High School and married her high school sweetheart, Charles George Loukes, who predeceased her in 1978.
They resided in Norfolk, VA for three years as "Chuck" served in the U.S. Navy, then moved to Glenville where they owned and operated Pine Ridge Trailer Court until they moved to Charlton. They founded their business, Odorless Sanitary Cleaners, in 1952. Ruth was an owner, secretary, and office manager during her working career, but remained active in heart until her passing. Their son, Kory, presently owns and operates the family business.
Ruth enjoyed horseback riding, snowmobiling, swimming, and camping with her husband and their five children. Ruth was an extremely Godly woman with an intense strength in her faith all throughout her life. She was a member of the East Glenville Community Church for over forty years, and was very active as a Sunday School teacher, in women's ministries, a pianist, and choir member. In the late 1980's, she traveled to several countries abroad as a short-term missionary including Europe, in Ecuador with HCJB Global, and in Swaziland, Africa where she lived for two and a half years ministering the Gospel with Trans World Radio. Her travels ultimately took her to seventeen countries and throughout the United States. In 1995, she transferred her membership to the Ballston Center ARP Church, where she has served as a deaconess, and was actively involved in their music ministry through the choir, bell choir, and filling in as organist and pianist. Ruth was a dutiful member of many committees and groups. Devotion ran deep in her soul as she looked for open doors and followed God's leading.
Her greatest desire was to serve the Lord, in all things, throughout her life, and always regularly attended weekly prayer meetings and church services. She treasured her large family and felt blessed to have them all living nearby and enjoyed the frequent family times they spent together. She continued to enjoy gardening, swimming, playing the piano, and her regular lunch dates with friends. She loved her home of over sixty-five years, filled with memories, and was grateful for nature's beauty all around through all the seasons. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of her porch swing while listening to the songbirds and night sounds, as well as tending her flowers.
She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother of five children, grandmother of eleven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, loving them all and extremely proud of a five generational family.
Survivors include her children Kevin (Wendy) Loukes, Karen (Dean) Osterhout, Kathie (John) Older, Kerby (Cindy) Loukes, and Kory (Tara) Loukes; her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, her great-great grandson, her sister Lita Casey, and her sister-in-law Lorraine Dickinson.
In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Charles G. Loukes, and her brother Nathan Dickinson.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday, January 14, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, NY.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., at the Ballston Center Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 58 Charlton Rd, Ballston Spa, NY.
Interment will be at Park Cemetery, Sacandaga Road, Scotia, NY.
The family would like to send special thanks to The Community Hospice of Saratoga for the excellent care of their mom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ballston Center ARP Church, 58 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020, The City Mission of Schenectady, P.O. Box 760, Schenectady, NY 12301, or The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.
Arrangements are entrusted to Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Ruth's Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com.