Beginning on September 22, 1928, Janet Marie Ruth was born and raised in the Snyder Funeral Home on South Market Street. She was the youngest child of May Belle Rowe and Frederick Heitzman. Throughout her life, Jan was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.
Jan was a good student, graduating from Galion High School, and enjoyed high school activities. A faithful First United Church of Christ member, she was confirmed and attended regularly. Janet’s first job was as a “Soda jerk” at Quay’s (the drugstore with a soda fountain). She attended a Business School in Columbus after graduating.
Her sister, “Dot” and brother-in-law, Jim introduced Jan to Robert “Bob” Ruth. They were married in Richland, Washington on October 29, 1948. After Bob completed the communication job in Richland for the government, he and Jan traveled. Bob installed direct dial telephone equipment across the United States. The couple moved back to Galion in 1957 and began to settle back into a more typical family life.
Jan returned to Quays as a part-time assistant in the Pharmacy. She was a faithful member of the Eastern Star and served as a “point”. Jan enjoyed volunteering with the Hospital TWIG group and First United Church of Christ. In 1978 Bob transferred to the North Electric Company in Gray, TN.
In the south, Jan participated with the Extension office home demonstration group and volunteered with the Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church. She also loved to crochet Afghans, was an avid reader, and loved to visit the Atlantic Ocean. Jan was a good cook, like her sisters Dot, Nancy, and brother John.
Along with her parents, and mother Theresa Heitzman, Janet is preceded in death by, her sister, Dorothy Moneysmith, and husband Jim, brother, John Heitzman, friends, and her best friend, Bob Ruth.
Left to cherish her memories are her sister, Nancy (Jim) Reid, sister-in-law, MaryAnn Heitzman, daughter, Ronet “Ro” Ruth-Bany, her soulmate, Michael, grandson, Rob (Misu) Nguyen-Bany, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Friends may call on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way North, Galion. Services will immediately follow at 3:30 pm. with Reverend Steven Court officiating. Private burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to either the First United Church of Christ in Galion, the American Legion, or American Cancer Society.
Those wishing to share a memory of Janet or send condolences to the Ruth family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way N., Galion is honored to serve the family of Janet Marie Ruth.
Funeral Home: Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home
Website: Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home