Ruth Ryder
Ruth M. Ryder, 97, of Normal passed away on Friday, April 24, at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, IL. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Normal on Tuesday, April 28, at 10:30 A.M. with the Rev. Don Jackson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 P.M. on Monday, April 27, at the church and one hour before the services. Burial will be at the Monticello Township Cemetery in Monticello, IL, with graveside services at 2:00 p.m.
Calvert&Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Normal, 211 N. School St., Normal, IL. 61761 or to the ISU Mennonite College of Nursing in memory of Ruth Ryder.
Ruth was born to Troy C. and Irene Valentine Blacker on January 28, 1918, at the family farm near White Heath, IL. On August 23, 1941, she married Bernard L. Ryder at Morris, IL. He passed away in 1999.
She is survived by three children: Michael (Jody) Ryder of Oregon, IL; Richard (Laurel) Ryder of Earlysville, VA; and Mary Ruth Ryder of Normal. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Kevin (Heather) Ryder of Bloomington; Becky (Jason) Tremble of Granbury, TX; Julie (Sergio) Reyes of Trophy Club, TX; and Matthew Ryder of Salt Lake City. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Earl and Dale Blacker; and two sisters Geneva Werfal and Guyneth Walker.
Ruth grew up on the farm and attended Prairie Dell School, a one-room school house located three quarters of a mile from her home. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1936 and from ISNU in 1938 with an Associate’s Degree in Upper Grades Education. She returned home to teach the Prairie Dell School for three years. An effective and devoted teacher, she would later instill a love of learning in her own children. After marrying she moved to Mason City, IL, and then to Morris, IL, where during WWII she taught junior high school language arts.
After the war, she moved to Forsyth, IL, and subsequently to Bloomington when her husband became a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1956, they moved to Normal where she supported her husband in his new role as head of the Physical Sciences and then Chemistry Departments at ISU.
Ruth was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She impressed upon her children the importance of good education, a strong work ethic, and a firm faith. Like others who grew up during the Great Depression, she was resourceful and saving and mastered the household arts of cooking, sewing, and gardening. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Normal for over 52 years, she was a former Sunday School teacher and a member of the United Methodist Women and Mercy Circle. As her children grew, she was active in the Glenn School PTA and served as a home room mother. She was a member of the ISU Newcomers group and the Piatt County Historical and Genealogical Society.
The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Ruth’s dedicated caregivers Allison, Angella, Candace, Cindy, and Emily who lovingly assisted her during the final year of her life. A special thank-you is also extended to the medical team of Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and its Hospice program and to Doctors Duncan, Weraarchakul, and Sriratana.
Of greatest importance to Ruth was family and home, and she loved having family gather at her dinner table. She was a modest and unassuming woman whose integrity was beyond question and whose love was unconditional. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Charles Sommers
Charles Eugene Sommers, 80, Bloomington, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
He was born in Black Creek, Wisconsin on March 13, 1935 at home, a son of Reinhard and Mildred Miller Sommers He graduated with a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin and served in the Army from 1957-1963. He married Jean Ann Wickesburg in 1957. Together, they had three children. Charles worked as an editor for Meredith Corp from 1962-1990. He came out of retirement in 1992 to work for PJS Publications in Peoria, IL for five years as an editor for Woodworkers Journal. He enjoyed his flying club, woodworking, and glass etching. His latest hobby was reading and recording facts about history.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Darlene Marie Harris Sommers. He is survived by his children: Bradley Dean (Sherri) Sommers, Kathleen Joy (David) Marx, Sister, Marion Wickman, Grandchildren: Mallory Victoria (Larry) Spray, Laura Sommers Berendts, Benjamin Charles Sommers, Carissa Joy Marx, Dalton David Marx. Two great grandchildren: Parker Edward Spray and Lincoln Joseph Spray. Stepchildren: Mark (June) Luther, Joan Luther, Matthew Luther, Jean Russell. Step Grandchildren: Grant & Rosemarie Luther, Jordan & Jenelle Nottoli, Emory & Zoe Russell. Charles enjoyed spending time with all of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Kay (Bruce) Berendts.
A visitation will be May 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church Bloomington, with a memorial service following at 3:00 pm. Inurnment will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the American Lung Association, 3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62711.
Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington is in charge of arrangements.
