Ruth Tribolet

Ruth Evelyn (Du Vall) Tribolet, 94, of Middle Point, died at 4:59 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert, under the care of State of the Heart Hospice.

She was born September 14, 1920, in Van Wert County, the daughter of Albert and Wilma (Kerns) Du Vall, who both preceded her in death. On January 15, 1938, she married Lawrence A. Tribolet, who died January 23, 1997.

Survivors include two children, Larry L. (Shelbyan) Tribolet of Middle Point and Jeanne E. (Dave) Smith of Elida; a sister, Alice (Paul, deceased) Shank of Van Wert; six grandchildren, Bruce (Tammy, deceased) Tribolet of Van Wert, Troy (Heather) Tribolet of Middle Point, Laurie (Alan) Notestine of Zanesfield, Amy Tribolet of Middle Point, Steve (Julie) Smith of Elida, and Lara (Matt) Shrodi of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a number of stepgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors and a special friend and neighbor, Marilyn McCracken; and her in-laws, Ralph (Betty) Tribolet, Helen (Don, deceased) Crone, both of Van Wert, and Don (Dot, deceased) Stirn of Florida. Five siblings, Margaret and Ed Horstman, Otis (Betty) Du Vall, Harold (Claribel) Du Vall, and Mary (Jack) Gear; her mother- and father-in-law, Sam and Pearl (Wistner) Tribolet; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mary and John Tomlinson, Chester and Marcille Tribolet, Marcille and Fritz Kreischer, Doyle and Mildred Tribolet, and Erma and Blaine Van Eman, also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Tribolet was a homemaker and helped on the family farm. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert and had been a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church in Middle Point, where she was active in the children's department and was high school classes teacher and youth fellowship leader, was active in Women's Ministries (WSCS) and was a delegate to the West Ohio United Methodist annual conference for several years. She also attended Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert.

Ruth attended the Spangler one-room school and was a member of the Class of 1938 at Hoaglin-Jackson School. She was a group leader of the Martha and Martha-Ruth circles, was a life member of United Methodist Women since 1987, attended Hal Hunt Sunday School Class and Joy Bunch Lunch Group, was 1991 state president of the Ohio Federation of Farm Women, a former president of the Hoaglin-Jackson Sunrise Club, a member of Sugar and Spice Homemakers, secretary of Church Women United, served on the Membership Committee of the YWCA of Van Wert County, was the 2002 Jackson Township representative for the Flowers in Full Bloom for community service, was an election poll worker and had delivered Meals on Wheels. She also volunteered as a breast cancer counselor after surviving breast cancer in 1992.

Ruth loved her family and friends, helping others, and enjoyed farm life, flowers, gardening, sewing, cooking, reading and traveling (she had visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states and several Caribbean islands). Ruth lived a life of contentment, joy and, most of all, optimism. She will be sadly missed by those whose lives she touched.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14, at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Gus Christo-Baker officiating. There will be time for special music from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in rural Van Wert County.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Friday, February 13, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, and a half-hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Preferred memorials: First United Methodist Church or the Vancrest Health Care Center Activities Fund.

Ruth's family would like to thank Vancrest Health Care Center and State of the Heart Hospice for their excellent care and comfort they provided Ruth and her family.