Ruth Lucile McPherson
Ruth Lucile McPheron, 97, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Ruth was born August 30, 1927, near LaFayette, Ohio, to Harry and Hazel (Stober) Klingler. Ruth married Mark A. McPheron on August 9, 1952, in Harrod, Ohio, and he passed away on November 1, 2005.
She is survived by sons, Bruce (Marilyn) of Kenton, David (Brenda) of Kenton, and Dennis (Sharyn) of Findlay and six grandchildren, Neale (Kiley) McPheron, Molly (Keith) Douglas, Megan (Brandon) Gross, Benjamin (Mallory) McPheron, Brenna (Joshua Bliss) McPheron, and Amy (Tobey) Steinman. Her 11 great-grandchildren, Cooper and Mia McPheron; Kaeden and Cillian Douglas; Sawyer, Max, and Patrick Gross; Madeline and Carter McPheron; and Mitchell and Lucy Steinman, were the lights of her life. Also surviving are her brother, Edison Klingler of Kenton, brother-in-law, Carl Henry Spencer of Cridersville, sister-in-law, Suzanne Archer of Harrod, and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was a 1948 graduate of The Ohio State University and worked as a high school business education teacher at Sycamore and Maple Heights, Ohio, prior to her marriage. Mark's service in the U.S. Navy took them coast-to-coast before the couple returned to Ohio. Ruth worked in the International Students' Office at The Ohio State University and at the Kenton First United Methodist Church as bookends to raising her family and serving her community in a variety of ways.
She was a member of Salem-Cass United Methodist Church (now Countryside Bible Church), Findlay, where she was devoted to the ministry of the Needles for God group. Prior to this, she was a member of the Kenton First United Methodist Church, active in the United Methodist Women, Elizabeth Circle, and Minerva Club. She was a past president of the Hardin County Homemakers.
Ruth loved gardening, taking special pride in her beautiful flowers during her years at the Arbors of Findlay. While Mark was living, the couple enjoyed travels together to all corners of the United States with their Airstream. She continued her mother's efforts on family genealogy and left us with a significant understanding of our family's history.
Ruth's impact on those around her spanned her entire life. Her commitment to friends and family was extraordinary, and her passing will leave a gap.
The family is grateful to the staff of Birchaven Village, Findlay, and Bridge Hospice, Findlay, for providing loving care.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton. Services will also be at Price-McElroy Funeral Home, Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ben Lowell officiating. Burial will follow at Wolf Creek Cemetery, Kenton. Friends and family are invited to join for fellowship following the service over a meal at Kenton First Methodist Church.
At Ruth's request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Feeding America to support families facing hunger. Donations by mail may be directed to Feeding America, c/o Jose Macias, PO Box 7410268 Chicago, IL 60674-0268; please note that your gift is in memory of Ruth McPheron. You may also donate online at
www.feedingamerica.org/mcpheron.
Online condolences may be expressed at
pricefh.net.
Published by The Courier on Apr. 19, 2025.