Ruth C. Brown

1933 - 2022

Ruth C. Brown, 88, of Botkins, died 11:05 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at the Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen.
She was born July 28, 1933, in Ottoville, OH, the daughter of Herman and Anna (Schnipke) Mittelkamp, who preceded her in death.  On June 2, 1956, she married Donald C. Brown who preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1980.
Survivors include six children, Debra (Joseph) Zimpfer of Botkins, Barbara (Kirk) Berus Lamagna of Pittsburg, PA, Catherine (Lawrence) Schwartz of Puyallup, WA, Chris (Cindy) Brown of Wapakoneta, Nancy (Ronald) Stutsman of Botkins and Craig (Sara) Brown, also of Botkins; 19 grandchildren, Shaun (Ashlee) Zimpfer, Dustin (Kayla) Zimpfer, Brett (Katy) Zimpfer,  Ethan (Cassandra) Zimpfer, Ryan (Rebecca) Berus,  Matthew (Kelly) Berus,  Nicholas Berus, Zachary Schwartz, Elliot Schwartz, Tyler (Austine) Brown, Heather (Conner) Crandall, Joshua Brown, Nathaniel Stutsman, Spencer Stutsman, Connor Stutsman, Donovan Brown, Carson Brown,  Ella Brown, Aspen Brown; nine great grandchildren; and her sister, Julie Koch, Columbus Grove.
In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her long-time companion and fiancé, James Hoying; two sisters, Lucinda O'Brien and Clara Brinkman; and two brothers, Henry Mittelkamp and Joseph Mittelkamp; as well as a son-in-law, Jeffrey Berus.
Ruth retired as the co-owner and secretary/treasurer of Brown Industrial in 2000.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Botkins.  Ruth graduated from Ottoville High School in 1951, where she was class valedictorian and sang the lead in the school musical.  Ruth served on the Botkins Village Council for 18 years, spent many years as a 4-H Club advisor, was a member of the Botkins Community Club, Botkins Friends of the Library, and Botkins Women's Club.  She enjoyed her card clubs, attending the Lima Symphony Orchestra, reading, crossword puzzles, sewing, and crocheting.  She was also an avid sports fan.  Despite a birthdate that disputed it, Ruth claimed for decades that she was 29, so it should be noted that she died at the ripe old age of 29.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 16, 2022, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Botkins, Fr. Sean Wilson officiating.  Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Botkins. 
The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Sunday at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta.  Memorials may be directed to the Botkins Memorial Pool or Friends of the Botkins Library.  Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.