Ruth Merle Miers

Ruth Merle Hawley Miers was born March 31, 1937 in Blythewood, South Carolina to Martha and Quitman Hawley. She grew up in relative luxury in rural South Carolina. She had a loving nanny and her house was the first in Blythewood– a town of approximately 1800–to have electricity. Ruth grew up hearing family lore that General Sherman danced on their grand piano, sparing the home any violence on his way through South Carolina. Likely a tall tale, but it may have inspired Ruth’s 8 years of diligent piano lessons.

As a teenager, she put her lessons to good use and played piano for Sunday School and Church Services. She also won awards for her musical prowess. She graduated high school in 1955 with a class of 25 students. Shortly after graduating high school at the age of 18, she married Richard Miers, a soldier whom she had met while he was stationed at nearby Fort Jackson after the Korean War Conflict. Richard and Ruth moved to his home state and attended Wisconsin State University, where they both graduated with teaching degrees. Ruth taught kindergarten and Richard taught high school.

In 1959, their first child Marshall was born. They moved multiple times for Richard’s education and career. Catherine was born soon after in 1961 and the youngest, Edward, followed in 1964. The family of 5 lived in a two bedroom university apartment where the 3 children shared a bedroom. During this time, Ruth taught kindergarten at an elementary school in an adjacent county. In the summers, both Richard and Ruth would pull sphagnum moss, hard bug infested work, to support themselves.

The family made their permanent move to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1969 for Richard to teach at Purdue. Ruth continued to teach kindergarten at a nearby elementary school. As part of her kindergarten class she would play piano and have the children sing along. The school principal asked her once why the children were enthusiastically singing “On Wisconsin,” a Wisconsin college fight song. Ruth replied “Well, of the songs I know it seems to be their favorite”. He then suggested that she might learn a similarly rousing Indiana based song. In 1982, Richard and Ruth divorced.

Ruth was a savvy business woman; while unemployed she started a coupon mailer advertising business. Later, she worked as a case worker for the Allen County welfare office while she saved up and invested in rental properties. She pushed forward in that goal even after being denied loans from some bankers, thinking a single woman would not succeed in the property business. Ruth retired from the welfare office in 2004 at 67 but continued to have success in managing properties until 2024 when she turned over management to her daughter Catherine. Ruth was an avid dancer and met George O’Dor, a fellow dance enthusiast who would go on to become a beloved friend. They attended many dances together and shared in each other’s family celebrations and lives until George passed away in 2001. Ruth continued to take dance lessons and compete in ballroom contests. She earned a variety of awards and trophies before osteoporosis and heart conditions ended her dance career.

Ruth continued to be active in church activities and volunteer work as long as she was able. She contributed to many charities, particularly passionate for those promoting animal welfare. Ruth was also a beloved Grandmother, imparting her passion for animals as well as her secret and not so secret family recipes to her grandchildren. The most noteworthy being her pound cake, mac and cheese, and banana pudding recipes. All three were always a rare treat when she made them. The last few years of her life she lived independently at home with some help from family, friends, and neighbors. On Tuesday, December 3, 2024 she passed away at home. Her love and memory will live on in her surviving family as well as all who had the privilege to know and love her.

Ruth had three children with Richard; Marshall, Catherine, and Edward (deceased). She has a younger brother, Quitman (deceased). Marshall and (Jayne) have three children Ross Miers, Sarah Winter (Matthew), and Eric Miers. Catherine Konkle and (Chuck) have a daughter Cierra Konkle. Edward Miers (deceased) has a son, Edward Miers and a daughter, Charity Miers. Edward and (Nora) have children Jonathon Miers, Emma Miers, Cora Miers (deceased) and Ryker Miers.

Her favorite Psalm was 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”