Ruth Ann Grant
Ruth Ann Grant, 78, South Whitley, died at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne where she was admitted on Saturday.
She was born Oct. 29, 1939, in Huntington County, a daughter of the late Merideth Jack and Clara Ann (Emely) Geist. Her formative years were spent in the South Whitley area. She graduated from South Whitley High School in 1957.
On Nov. 23, 1958, she was united in marriage to Franklin D. Grant. They made their home in the South Whitley area. Mr. Grant died Nov. 22, 1991. Since 1979, Ruth Ann has lived in South Whitley.
A full-time homemaker until her children were raised, she then worked for Passages, Columbia City from 1990 to 2012. She always had a caring heart for children who needed a comforting and safe place to stay. She and her husband hosted many children over the years. She became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). She also enjoyed working as a mentor at the South Whitley Elementary School.
She was a member of the Collamer Christian Church.
Continuing her mother’s tradition, Ruth Annn Grant sent hundreds of greeting cards annually to friends and extended family. In her senior years, she enjoyed reading, continued her seamstress activities, and loved to cook.
She is survived by her daughter, Clara L. (Steve) North-Shearer, Columbia City; three sons: Sam F. (Vivian Heeter) Grant, Benjamin J. (Melisa) Grant, both of South Whitley; and Matt J. Grant, Albion; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild and an expectant one in August; two sisters, Mary Jane Johnston, Wolcottville and Martha Miller, Columbia City; and a brother, William (Mary Beth) Geist, Hilton Head, SC.
Additionally, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachel Tucker; a granddaughter, Megan Marie North and a brother, Daniel Geist.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial will take place at a later date in the South Whitley Cemetery.
The family has requested that memorials be made to One Community, South Whitley in lieu of flowers.