Ruth Deloris Witzel

Ruth Deloris Witzel, 90 years, 10 months, and seven days celebrated leaving this world to be with her Lord and Savior on September 7, 2025, at 1:03 pm at her daughter's home surrounded by her daughters and friends. Ruth was born November 1, 1934 to Everett and Ora Mae (Shaw) Burkitt in Keenes, Illinois aka Papertown. She grew up in her widowed father's two-bedroom farm home before electricity or modern plumbing shortly following the Great Depression. Her mother passed away suddenly when she was three years old. Ruth is one of nine children with her being the last to survive. Ruth lived through many rough years including a tornado taking their home off foundation back in 1957 of which she recanted this memory often of seeing Jesus during that tornado.
Ruth attended a one-room schoolhouse, Lowery School and later attended Bluford High School. She met Lyle James Witzel while waitressing at Rosie's Cafe on South 10th Street in Mount Vernon. They married June 8, 1963 on South 23rd Street in Mount Vernon. They raised two daughters and helped raise their grandsons at 1213 South 24th Street. She was a homemaker and faithful wife to Lyle for 61 years.
Ruth enjoyed her long walks all over town and the park, as well as bike riding. She and Lyle traveled to many states with her daughters and sister, Lela and family. In later years, she enjoyed Senior Circle events, exercising at Curves, and attended Bingo and dances. She loved everyone she encountered. There wasn't a person she came across she didn't have a kind word or compliment for and made feel special. Ruth was strong in her faith and attended Family Life Church in Mount Vernon with her daughter and son-in-law and family every Sunday.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Brenda and favorite son, Luther Torrez and Lora Nafziger (Gabriel Rivera); grandsons, Bryson (Jerrica) Owens, Luther Torrez, Jr. (Alina), Cody Owens, Aaron (Amanda) Nafziger, Nickolas Torrez (Rebecca), Shane (Julie) Nafziger, Riana Torrez, Amelia Torrez, and Michael Torrez; nine great-grandchildren and one on-the way, Ellie, Nina, Corban, Isaac, Addie, Finn, Anastasia, Aiden, Waylon, and Gabriel; special friends, Ronnie and Mary Krutsinger and Melissa Hoh; and several nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am with Pastor Kent Jackson officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. She will be laid to rest with Lyle, her beloved husband of 61 years.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be made to Family Life Shelter at 12580 North Sparrow Lane Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864 and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.