Ruth P. Menke
FORT JENNINGS – Ruth P. Menke, 80, of Fort Jennings, died at 11:05 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2012 at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.  She was born July 21, 1931 in Ottoville to the late Charles D. and Clara (Pittner) Sawmiller. On December 1, 1951, she married Ralph P. Menke and he died August 4, 2011.  Surviving are 5 children:  Shirley Odenweller of Seward, Alaska, Ronald (Peggy) Menke of Delphos, David (Lisa) Menke of Van Wert, Sharma (John) Bidlack of Fort Jennings and Dennis "Zeke" (Tina) Menke of Fort Jennings; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters: Theresa Heiing of Ottawa, Dorothy Metcalf of Coldwater, MI and Clara (Ralph) Honigfort of Kalida. She was preceded in death also by 5 sisters: Mary Sawmiller, Alice Beckman, Rose Mary Seiment, Helen Murphy, Gertrude Michael and 3 brothers: Cyril Sawmiller, Charles P. Sawmiller, Harold Sawmiller.
Ruth owned Ruth's Shoe service in Fort Jennings with her husband. She retired from Putnam Acres Care Center in Ottawa and had worked at Paradise Oaks Nursing Home in Cloverdale.  She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings. She enjoyed crocheting, puzzles and bird watching but most of all Ruth loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 18, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings with Fr. Mark Hoying officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2012 at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township (on the corner of Rts. 224 and 634) and one hour prior to Mass Monday at the church.  There will be a scripture service Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Putnam County Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com

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