Ruby A. Harris

Ruby Harris, age 81, of Canton, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 after a long fight against brain cancer. She was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on February 6, 1928. Ruby graduated from Oakfield High School in Wisconsin in 1946. She attended Mayville Teachers College and Wisconsin State College in Oshkosh, graduating with a B.S. in Primary Education. Ruby taught elementary grades for over 34 years; ten years in Wisconsin; three years on Air Force Bases in Tripoli, Libya and Sembach and Ramstein, Germany; 15½ years in Gurnee, IL; and as a substitute teacher in Canton for 6½ years. She enjoyed all sports, reading, traveling and music. Ruby was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Waukegan, IL and the Congregational United Church of Christ in Canton. She was also a member of the Alliance Senior Chorus. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, William and Edith Geisthardt of Oakfield, WI; brothers, Guy (Milicent) of Sheboygan, WI, Rollin (Beatrice) of Oakfield, WI and Calvin (Jane) of Oakfield, WI; and a sister, Ruth (Bob) Day of Antioch, IL. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Richard Harris of Canton; one brother, Jerry (Alice) Geisthardt of Hartford, WI; four sisters, Sylvia Ryan of Fond du Lac, WI, Marion Holz of Waupum, WI, Marjorie Marquart of Lomira, WI and Sara Hanson of Verona, WI. She is also survived by her children, Donald (Pam) Harris of Palatine, IL, Patricia (Scott) Warner of Foley, AL, Kate Harris of Birmingham, AL and Karen (Rob) Rice of Huntington Beach, CA; three grandchildren, Ryan Harris of Las Vegas, NV and Robert and Christine Rice of California; and 32 nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their appreciation for the care given to Ruby at St. Luke's Nursing Home, Aultman Home Care, Advantage Home Care and Hospice of Stark County. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 11am in the Reed Funeral Home North Canton Chapel. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 from 6-8pm in the funeral home. A burial service will be held at the North Shore Garden of Memories in North Chicago, IL. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ruby's name be made to the Congregational United Church of Christ (1530 Easton St. N.E., Canton, OH 44721) or Hospice of Stark County (3611 Whipple Ave. N.W., Canton, OH 44718). Those wishing to send their condolences or share a fond memory may sign the Reed Online Guestbook at www.reedfuneralhome.com.