Ruth Louise Hoyler

1928 - 2021

Ruth Louise (Spohn) Hoyler

On January 19, 2021, Ruth Louise (Spohn) Hoyler peacefully left this life to continue her life in the presence of her loving God. Ruth was able to be at home the months following the death of her husband, Raymond E. Hoyler in August 2020, and in the final week of her life she was surrounded by her daughters.

Born on February 20, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Louise (Williams) Spohn and George B. Spohn, Ruth spent her childhood in Drexel Hill, PA and Cranford, NJ. She graduated from the Syracuse University Art School in 1950 and married H. L. Peter Rounds. Serving as a pastor's wife, Ruth was a hostess to all and led small groups while also continuing her artwork.

Following her divorce, in 1971 Ruth met Ray and their marriage united two families of teenage daughters: Donna (Rounds) Belliveau and Patricia (Rounds) Welch (Michael); Donna Rae (Hoyler) Yenderusiak, Diane (Hoyler) McLean (Jim), and Denise (Hoyler) Stenglein (Bill). Ruth and Ray thoroughly enjoyed their 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Ruth and Ray spent much time camping over the years. In retirement it became a way to serve others through Servants on Wheels Ever Ready (an organization of campers who made repairs and spruced up Christian camps around the U.S.). Ruth delighted camps with her specialty, nature murals. As an avid bird watcher, Ruth easily captured the essence of northeastern U.S. birds in paintings large and small. Both were Friends of Camp Findley and were very active in Elmgrove United Methodist Church.

Art was a big part of Ruth's life; everywhere she traveled she sketched and painted, from Alaska to the New Jersey shore. She sold over 400 paintings, published Hidden Pictures with Highlights magazine in the 1980s, and finally, at the age of 86, wrote and illustrated a children's book, A Mouse Tail Tale.

Ruth's life was full of joy, of love for her Lord and her family, as well as for her many friends. The family hopes to hold a Celebration of Life for both Ruth and Ray Hoyler at a later date. Contributions in Ruth's memory can be made to Elmgrove UMC, 1500 Spencerport Rd., Rochester, NY 14606.