Ruth DeWees

1933 - 2021

FINDLAY, Ohio — Ruth DeWees, age 87 of Findlay, Ohio, passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at the Bridge Hospice Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. She was born on December 11, 1933 to the late Landis and Goldie (Warner) Absten in West Virginia. She married Verner L. DeWees on October 26, 1950 and he preceded her in death on January 15, 1982.

Ruth is survived by two children, Verner L. (Diane) DeWees II and Vickie (David) Bunge; four grandchildren Darren DeWees, Brian (Jonna) Aller, Stacy (Steve) Norvell, and Mandy (Ben) Stevens; seven great grandchildren; a brother Larry (Donna) Absten; and sisters-in-law Hope Absten, Isabella Absten, and Joan Absten. She was preceded in death by a son, David A. DeWees, and brothers William Absten, Cecil Absten, and Lee Absten.

Ruth was never successful in the ways we think of success today, but she had the most important role in life — the role of caregiver — and she gave her all to that role every day. She selflessly cared for her son with Down Syndrome his whole life, and her aging parents as well. Though caring for her son took much of her time and attention, she loved all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family deeply and prayed for them all daily. Ruth truly showed that she was a servant of God through the care that she gave to others throughout her life, and those who knew her will always remember the way she gave herself to those who needed her.

Visitation will take place from 11 a.m.–noon on Monday, April 5, 2021 at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay. A private family funeral service will be held at noon following the visitation at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Findlay.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.