Ruth L. Hartman Williams

ST. JOSEPH — Ruth L. Williams, 96, died Wednesday (April 10, 2019).

Freese Funeral Home, St. Joseph, is in charge of graveside services at 2 p.m. Monday, April 15, 2019, at Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview, with David Barcus officiating.

Ruth was born west of St. Joseph on Aug. 11, 1922, the daughter of William “Bill” Hartman and Ollie Denhart Hartman. She married Murray Williams onAug. 28, 1942. He preceded her death on June 30, 1980.

She is survived by a daughter, Margaret “Kay”Charles (Ron) of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Angela Mumm of Cape Coral, Fla., Vicki Sparks (Larry) of St. Joseph, Bob Mumm of Cape Coral, Fla., Jodi Williams of Nashville, Tenn., and Melissa Williams, of Albuquerque, N.M.; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla Sparks and Brandon Sparks of St. Joseph and Grace Vilar and Michael Vilar of Albuquerque, N. M.

Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Bill Williams; two brothers, Ernie Hartman and Bill Hartman; and a sister, Helen Lowe.

She attended Illinois Commercial College. Her first job was with Sullivan Chevrolet in Champaign. From there, she worked at Collegiate Cap and Gown; after that, she worked at the restaurant in St. Joseph before going to work at the St. Joseph High School, where she worked for 32 years.

She loved country music and dancing. At a young age, she played the accordion. She sang with the Sweet Adelines. She loved her little dog, Muffin.

Ruth enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Champaign News-Gazette 4/12/2019