Ruth O. Staub

Ruth O. Staub passed away peacefully at her home on December 27th. She was 94. Born in Marion on January 21, 1921, she was raised and grew up on the nearby family farm along with her 2 sisters. As a self-sustaining farm during the Depression, all family members helped with the numerous tasks and chores. As a result, Ruth always excelled at gardening, cooking, and sewing among many other things. Attending school in Green Camp, she was always an involved student and participated in various activities. After high school, she attended Ohio State University, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and served as President. Upon graduation in 1943, she accepted a position in Bellville, Ohio where she taught home economics in middle school. She met her husband of 67 years, William (Fred), also a teacher, through mutual friends and they were married at Green Camp United Methodist Church on April 6, 1947. The young couple spent their initial years and bought their first house in Mansfield where their son, Tom, was born. Fred eventually accepted a position at OSU and the couple settled in Columbus, where their second son, Jon, joined the family. A loving wife and mother and an excellent homemaker and friend, Ruth found time to actively work in organizations such as the League of Women Voters. She was a long term member of First Community Church where she and Fred served on the Governing Board and various committees over the years. She also taught the Bethel Series, an intensive, 2 year study of the Bible, twice. Ruth was an elegant, mannered lady and a gracious, enthusiastic hostess whose home was always warm and welcoming, especially to children. She loved celebrating the holidays. Along with her husband, she was socially conscious and a forward thinking person open to new ideas and different belief systems. In her free time, Ruth was an excellent crafts person who quilted and wove Nantucket Lightship baskets. She and Fred traveled extensively, often by car. They especially enjoyed being in nature together. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Alice (Firstenberger) and Frank Oesterle; her sisters, Loma (Mills) and Doris (Beaver); her husband William (Fred) and her son, Thomas. She is survived by her son, Jonathan (and his wife Susan); her grandchildren, Sara and Allison, Marcia Staub (her sister-in-law) and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be at First Community Church (South Campus at 1320 Cambridge Boulevard in Marble Cliff) at 10am on Saturday, January 2, 2016 with a celebration of life service at 11am, followed by a reception. Private interment will be at Marion Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to The Nature Conservancy of Ohio, 6375 Riverside Dr., Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017. Family has entrusted SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL with final arrangements.