Ruth Marie Werking

Ruth Marie (Davis) Werking, 95, passed away on Monday, July 14, in Grand Haven, Michigan. Formerly a long-time resident of Marion, she taught art and English in the area school systems. Following retirement, she also was an instructor at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Ruth was born on April 22, 1930, in New Castle, Indiana to Vern and Mary Davis. She was the third of five children following Forrest (1924), and Dorothy (1925) with a younger sister Grace (1936) and brother Donald (1937). Both parents and siblings are now deceased.

Ruth recounted her early years on the farm. She milked cows, ran the tractor, and worked a crosscut saw with her father. She attended New Lisbon High School where she met her future husband, Robert J. Werking. They were married July 22, 1951. Paul Michael (Grand Haven, Michigan) was born in 1952, and Carol Marie (deceased) was born in 1957. After her first job as the town's telephone switchboard operator, Ruth worked for many years as a secretary. In 1969, she received her B.A. degree from Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN) and an M.A. degree from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) in 1974. Although both Ruth and her husband, now Dr. Robert Werking, were dedicated to their roles as educators, they travelled to all fifty states and 21 countries. They were blessed with four grandchildren; Laura Eileen Werking (Brian) Grissom Phoenix, AZ, David Elliott Werking, Muncie, IN, Adam Vincent (Tamra) Fishers, IN and James Richard (Kim) Vincent of Muncie, IN. There are five great grandchildren: Elsie Werking, Alex Grissom, Sarah Grissom, Eleanor Vincent and Amani (Beau) Brown.

The funeral will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, 400 E. Main St., Gas City. A service to honor Ruth's life will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Her burial will be at the South Mound Cemetery in New Castle, IN, on Monday, July 21 at 10:30 a.m. where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Cancer Services of Grant County, Tower Suites, 305 S. Norton Ave., Marion, IN 46952, Indiana Wesleyan University, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.