Mary Ruth Keim
Mary Ruth Keim, 86, Rochester, passed away at 3:28 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1928, in Rochester, the daughter of Fred and Helen (Shuman) Gottschalk and graduated from Fulton High School in 1946. She married neighbor and childhood friend, Frederick Byron Keim, at her parent’s home just south of Green Oak on Oct. 5, 1951. He preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 2007.
Mary Ruth had worked as a bookkeeper at Modern Diary and at the Fulton County Bureau of Motor Vehicles. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, where she had taught Sunday school, the Pleasant Hour Club, Fulton County Historical Society, where she was treasurer of the Genealogy section, and active in Fulton County 4-H. She enjoyed gardening, genealogy, Sudoku, sewing, quilting, baking pies, attending auctions, and especially bidding on items to add to her collection of stamps, glass and coins. She contributed her time and baking skills for the annual Dick Gottschalk Memorial Cancer Fundraiser for many years. She enjoyed tending to her annual flowering planting and was affectionately known as the “Flower Lady” and enjoyed watching her birds and spending time with her family, friends and dear neighbors.
Survivors include her son: Keith Alan (Patricia Jean Clark) Keim, Rochester; daughter: Jane Ann Cripe, Philadelphia, Pa.; grandchildren: Natalie Renae Keim, Indianapolis; Phillip Clark Keim, North Manchester; Linnea Rose Cripe; Adison Perry Cripe; and Ethan Colin Cripe, all of Philadelphia, Pa.; brothers: Robert O. (Elaine) Gottschalk, Rochester; William E. (Linda) Gottschalk, Bonita Springs, Fla.; James E. Gottschalk, Fort Meyers, Fla.; sister: Phyllis (James) Bird, Logansport; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law: Dr. Chad Cripe, in 2014.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Zimmerman Brothers Funeral Home, Rochester with Reverend Linda Sue Hewitt and Pastor Susan Clark officiating. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester.
Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.