May E. Ruhl

May Ruhl was born May Elizabeth Sprowl on April 28, 1926 in East Otto, NY, the daughter of Lula and Lloyd Sprowl. She grew up with her brother Don and foster sister Ethel on a dairy farm. She attended Houghton College, graduating with a degree in social science in 1947. May taught in a one-room schoolhouse near her home and in a missionary school in Kentucky before teaching in the Iroquois Central School District. A friend introduced her to another teacher, Sterling A. Ruhl, and they were married in 1958. They settled down in East Aurora where they raised 3 children, Kim (Ruhl) Wilson (Robert), Terry Ruhl (Lori), and Mark Ruhl (Kellee). After the death of Sterling in 2013 she moved to Orchard Heights independent living facility where she lived up to her death. There she was dubbed “The Mayor” because of how she looked after all the new residents and organized games and puzzles. She always wanted people to feel included and at home.

May had a lifelong interest in birding and was a founding member of the East Aurora Bird Club. She led many trips and could identify many species by sound. She enjoyed her grandchildren Caitlin Wilson, David Wilson (Rachel), Stephen Ruhl (Autumn), Rebekah Miller (Zachary), Jo Ruhl, Tim Ruhl (Loran), Josh Ruhl (Lauren), and Kari Weener (Justin). Recently she had been blessed with great-grandchildren Madilyn May (named after her great grandmother), Asher, Micah, and Esther. May was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and attended Fellowship Wesleyan Church as well as services online and at Orchard Heights. Friends may call Saturday from 12-1 PM at Fellowship Wesleyan Church, 1645 Southwestern Blvd., West Seneca, NY, where a memorial service will follow at 1 PM. Arrangements were by Wood Funeral Home in East Aurora, NY. In lieu of flowers, you can honor her life by meditating on her favorite Bible passage, Luke 24: 13-35.