Ruth M. Wagenhouser

Columbiana-Ruth M. Wagenhouser, 94, of Whispering Pines Village, passed away peacefully at 4:00 pm Thursday, October 23, 2014.

Mrs. Wagenhouser was born June 23, 1920 in Leetonia and had lived in this area all of her life.

After graduating from high school, Ruth attended Ohio State University for two years before joining the Navy. She served in the US Navy during World War II as a link instructor. After her discharge from the Navy she received her Bachelor of Science and her Masters in Education from Youngstown State University. She was a 5th grade teacher for the Leetonia Exempted Village Schools for 15 years retiring in 1982.

Ruth was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Leetonia, the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and the Joe Williams Post #131 American Legion, Leetonia.

Her husband, Ralph W. Wagenhouser, whom she married December 15, 1946, died October 2, 2003.

She is survived by her daughter, Gretchen McIlrath of Cleveland; her son, Bill Wagenhouser of Canfield; and four grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha Wagenhouser on December 7, 2011.

Memorial services will be held at 9:45 am Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Whispering Pines Village, Columbiana with Pastor Kari Lankford and Sandy Havlin officiating. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Salem Honor Guard.

Material tributes in memory of Ruth may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Brick Restoration Fund or the Leetonia Community Public Library.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia.

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