Ruth F. Vanschoelandt

Ruth Vanschoelandt, 89, of Shawnee, Kan., passed away on November 16, 2009. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, November 20, at the McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kan. Visitation will be one hour prior (1- 2 p.m.) at the chapel. Burial at Pleasant View Cemetery in Shawnee. Ruth was born in Coffeyville, Kan., on April 11, 1920, to Mary and William T. Halbert, and moved with her family to Shawnee at the age of 10. She graduated from Shawnee Mission Rural High School and received a teaching certificate from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia. She taught second grade at Shawnee Grade School until her marriage in 1942 in Chicago, where her husband was stationed at Navy Pier. When her children started to school, Ruth returned to teaching as a substitute teacher. After retiring from teaching, she opened a booth at the Waldo Flea Market, where she spent 25 years selling old books and paper goods. Ruth loved her family, her teaching, and her books. Ruth was a member of Shawnee United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and three sisters. Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Fred Vanschoelandt; her daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Bob Breyfogle of Olathe, Kan.; her son Richard Vanschoelandt and daughter-in-law Lola of Independence, Mo.; grandchildren Lisa Bromlow, Stuart Breyfogle and Elizabeth Vanschoelandt, and five great grandchildren. The family is grateful for the loving care she received in her last years at Garden Terrace of Overland Park. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Heart of America Chapter, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208, in Ruth's name. Arrangements: McGilley & Hoge Chapel, (913) 642-3565.