Ruth Irene Sawyer

1932 - 2023

Ruth Sawyer entered into her heavenly home on November 27, 2023 at the age of 91. She was born on March 6, 1932, in Pandora, Ohio, to Clarence David Diller and Marie Ruth Claudon, the sixth of seven children. Ruth grew up on a farm in Pandora, OH, until the age of 15, when the family moved to nearby Bluffton, Ohio. Ruth attended Wheaton College where she met her husband, Spencer Adams Sawyer, in the orchestra and graduated with a piano performance degree. Ruth married Spencer on August 20, 1955, and together they raised seven children, living in Wheaton, Illinois; Madison, New Jersey; and Naperville, Illinois. They were long-time Naperville residents, moving to the area in 1966. While raising her children, she shared her love of music by teaching numerous piano students in her home and was involved in the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA). Additionally, Ruth regularly played piano and organ at the Evangelical Free Church of Naperville (now Compass Church). Ruth will be remembered as a gentle servant who hosted many in her home and invested in people's lives. She instilled in her children the values of frugality, hard work, commitment to God, and family. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Spencer Sawyer. She is survived by one brother, Dr. Timothy Diller, and also her children: Philip (Anh) Sawyer, Karen (Craig) Ediger, Katherine (Paul) White, Celia (Don) Kuick, Stephen (Karen) Sawyer, Janna (John) Marshall, and Rebecca (Nathan) Kendall, 26 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. A private family burial is planned for Friday with a celebration of life service to follow on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11 am at OneWay Ministries, Meridian Lakeside Plaza, 495 N Commons Dr, Aurora, IL 60504. There will be visitation from 9-11am prior to the service. Donations may be sent to OneWay Ministries, www.owm.org. For information call 630-355-0213 or visit www.friedrichjones.com