Ruth Marie Meese

Ruth Marie Meese, age 69, of New Philadelphia was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital at Akron following a brief illness.

Born on February 16, 1954, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, Ruth was a daughter of the late Joseph L. and Mildred Carlson Rodgers.

Ruth was a graduate of Lakeview High School in Pennsylvania and on November 17, 1973, married David E. Meese.

Ruth’s faith was nurtured as a longtime member of the Midvale United Methodist Church where she was an active member of the Women’s group. She loved to cook and bake and enjoyed sending her family and friends cards for every holiday. She was an avid fan of Cleveland sports teams and in her younger years was an accomplished bowler and softball player. 

Many of her family members live a distance away and she frequently spent time on the phone catching up with her siblings learning about the new life events happening in Pennsylvania and beyond. There wasn’t anything Ruth wouldn’t do for her family and accepted each new member with open arms. She loved living life her way and had never met a stranger.

For the past 30 years, Ruth was employed at Hennis Care Center at Dover where she was a Dietary Aide. She deeply cared for her co-workers and the residents. She had no plans to retire, stating she would miss everyone far too much. 

In addition to her husband of 50 years, Ruth will be missed by a son, Greg (Lacy) Meese of New Philadelphia; her grandchildren, Alexis Stucin, Edie Meese, Vincent Meese, and Bentley Inherst; three great-grandchildren; her siblings, Margaret (Gerald) Kishbaugh, Emma Jane (Eugene) Kishbaugh, and Joseph (Oretha) Rodgers all of Pennsylvania; a brother-in-law, Dan (Bonnie) Meese of West Virginia; a special cousin, Penny Gramley of Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by three sisters, Thelma Gruber, Velma Rodgers, and Louise Rodgers; a brother-in-law, Larry Meese, and a daughter-in-law, Nicci Meese.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Brad Call will lead a service celebrating Ruth’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 10:30 AM. A meal and fellowship will be shared in the social hall of the Midvale Methodist Church immediately following the service. A private inurnment will take place in the Evergreen Burial Park. 

Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be directed to Midvale Methodist Church, PO BOX 247 Midvale, Ohio 44653.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Ruth by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com.