Ruth Duprey

Ruth Marie Duprey, 89, of Van Wert, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at the CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert.  She was born on February 12, 1929, in Logan County, Ohio, the daughter of the late Agnes (Houchin) and Larimer Herring.  She married John J. Smith of Bellefontaine in 1947 and he preceded her in death in 1965.  In 1970 Ruth married Rufus Duprey of Van Wert who preceded her in death in 2012.

Family survivors include her children Deborah (David) Gamble of Whitewater, WI; Steve Smith of Angola, IN; Nancy Jayne Smith of Van Wert, OH and Barbara Smith-Steiner of Lampasas, TX, eight grandchildren, Kristen (Jeremy) Monday, Matt (Angela) Gamble, Meghan (Jake) Davis, Bea Smith, Zoe Smith, Abigail (Aaron) Stancik, Elizabeth (Evan) Russo, Logan (Tatiana) Schaadt and seven great-grandchildren: Gehrig and Thorpe Monday, Jace Davis, Olivia, Madden and SheppStancik and Kelsey Schaadt.  Ruth is also survived by her nieces Beth Miller, Judith Shenk, Catherine Shenk, Janet Laird and Linda Pauken and exchange student Claudia Oliveira Lima Coelho, all of whom she regarded as daughters.

Ruth grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where she graduated from high school in 1947.  She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Van Wert YWCA, Modern Mothers Home Extension Club, United Methodist Women and the First Presbyterian Book Club.  She will be remembered fondly for never meeting a stranger, her zeal for lifelong learning, her love of crossword puzzles, always caring about others and her lifelong quest of clipping newspaper articles to send every relative to make sure they were up to date on the most recent information that likely had nothing at all to do with them.  It was always much appreciated and brought a smile to our faces.  Is there anyone in Van Wert County that hasn’t had the joy of eating her potato rusks?

Ruth was also preceded in death by her infant son, William Duprey, her sister, Marjorie Shenk and her brother-in-law, Robert Shenk, and infant great-granddaughter, Harper Davis.

Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00 PM on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory and one hour prior to services on Sunday at the funeral home.  Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory with Rev. Greg Wack officiating.  A private family burial will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert.

Preferred memorials may be directed to Bethel United Methodist Church or Thomas Edison Early Childhood Center.

Online condolences may be expressed at:  www.alspachgearhart.com.