Ruth Mary KILLEN

1927 - 2015

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Ruth Mary Killen, age 88, died on December 1, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center.

Ruth was born on March 9, 1927, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Agnes and Clarence Wade Clikeman.

She met her future husband, William Henry Killen (from Springfield), in Rockford, Illinois. They were married on August 21, 1948, in Rockford. Together, they celebrated 62 years of marriage before her beloved husband and soul mate, Bill, died on January 7, 2010.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Clarence (Sonny) Clikeman, Jr.

With Bill's 36-year career at Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Ruth followed in his moves from Rockford to Rock Island to Springfield, Illinois, where they made their home in 1955.

She was employed as a bookkeeper at the Springfield Credit Bureau for 12 years and previously at Myers Brothers Department Store.

Ruth was an active member of Elliott Avenue Baptist Church where she was a volunteer in the Ladies Aid. She also was a Life Master bridge player and frequently played at the Bridge Center in Springfield in addition to marathon bridge, duplicate, couples bridge and was a member of the American Contract Bridge League.

She was a devoted mother to her four daughters as a homemaker, Girl Scout leader and in the school PTA.

She also was a past volunteer at Memorial Hospital.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, watching the Chicago Cubs, knitting, dancing, boating and fishing with Bill and special times with her grandchildren. Every year when the daughters were young they took a summer vacation to the Lake of the Ozarks.

When she and Bill retired they would spend the winter months in Destin, Florida, where they walked the beach and enjoyed time together with many old and new friends at "The Islander".

Ruth is survived by four daughters, Patricia Lynn Ocain of Richland Center, Wisconsin, Kathleen Mary Butler (husband, Leon) of Pawnee, Sue Ann Hurst (husband, Roger), and Mary Beth Schaefer (husband, Don); six grandchildren, Gary (wife, Alicia) Butler, Kelly (husband, Eric) Bapst Weston, Daniel Bapst, Geoffrey Schaefer, Arthur and David (wife, Alisha) Ocain. She also is survived by nine great- grandchildren.

Cremation rites were accorded by the Bisch Crematory.

The family will greet friends from 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, at Bisch Funeral Home, 2931 Koke Mill Road, Springfield.

A private family graveside service will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery on Monday, December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, where both William and Ruth's cremated remains will be buried with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct memorials to Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, 501 W. Elliott Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702, or American Heart Association, 2141 W. White Oaks Dr., #A, Springfield, IL 62704.

Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.bischfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.