Ruth Decker

September 8, 1924 — May 9, 2011

Ruth Naomi Decker was born September 8, 1924 in Ashland, Ohio, the oldest of six children born to Ray Lester Britenbucher and Bessie Irene (Sealer) Britenbucher.

Ruth graduated from Ashland High School in 1942. Then she attended and graduated from Philadelphia School of the Bible.While a student there, she played piano for a Church in Philadelphia that had a young preacher by the name of Billy Graham.When Mrs. Graham took time off for having children, they would ask Ruth to play the piano because she knew all the hymns.Ruth practiced a whole year of learning the hymns in the entire Service Hymnal .

While a student at Philadelphia School of the Bible, Ruth met Harley Decker, another student.They dated and married December 28 ^th , 1946.They were married for 25 years.

Ruth and Harley had four children, Rebekah (Ronald) Coriell of Brownsboro, Alabama; Paula Mulvihill of Ashland; Lisa (Jeff) Tracey of McConnelsville; and one son, Mark Seymour, deceased in 1986.

Ruth has eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Timothy) Kauffman, Jessica (Nathan) DuBe, Johanna (Richard) Vest, Mark (Julie) Stambaugh, Vicki Kaufman, Rusty (Llana) Tracey and Brian Tracey.Ruth has seven great-grandchildren, Tanner, Chloe, Tyler and Caralee Kauffman, Bella Rose Vest, Marshall and Maxwell Dube, Abigail and Mason Kauffman.One brother, Ray (Rosemary) Britenbucher of Ashland.Four sisters, Jean Holt of Candia, NH, Carol Becker of Clermont, FL, Mary Ann (Jerry) Meng of Jeromesville, and Marge (Bob) Criss of West Salem, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Decker started her working career as an Avon Lady, selling to friends and neighbors.She later worked on a farm, candling eggs.When Sears Roebuck & Co. built a new store in Brookpark, Ruth was hired and she worked there in various departments and lastly the snack bar.She retired with 25 years of service due to health reasons after her youngest child, Mark, was killed while working as a VA Police Officer.She sold the house and relocated to Ashland, Ohio, where she grew up.

She played the piano many years for Junior (Children’s) Church and told captivating Bible stories using flannel board.Ruth loves the Lord and is known as a prayer warrior.Although legally blind, she was able to continue playing the piano every day.Ruth was a member of Grace Brethren Church for many years.

She was also preceded in death by her mother, father, and granddaughter, Angel April.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 11:00 am, at Roberts Funeral Home, Ashland Chapel, 1058 US Rte 250, Ashland, OH, with Pastor Norm Johnson officiating.Friends may call Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home.Burial will be at Ashland County Memorial Park.Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Brethren Church, Missions Fund, 1144 West Main Street, Ashland, OH.Online tributes may be made at www.robertsfuneralhome.com .

View Ruth N. Decker's Video Tribute

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Decker, please visit our flower store.

Ruth Decker

September 8, 1924 — May 9, 2011

Guestbook