Ruth Ellen Wiggins Edwards April 11, 1926 – Feb. 13, 2013

Born in Dixon, she was the daughter of Frank Davis Wiggins Sr. and Frances Irene (Taylor) Wiggins. In 1945, she married Herbert LeRoy Edwards of Lanark.

After her mother’s death in 1933, Ruth left Dixon High School to care for her four siblings. She was supervisor at Freeman Shoe Co. of Dixon, making army boots during World War II. At the age of 64, she fulfilled her dream of a high school diploma from Rensselear Central High School in 1990. With family as her career, she worked part time for W.T. Grant store; as a Title 1 reading tutor for Warsaw Community Schools; and was a licensed practical nurse at Murphy Medical Center in Warsaw, Ind.

Volunteering in her community, Ruth was a chaplain assistant at Murphy Medical Center. She served as treasurer of the Jasper County Hospital Auxiliary and as a clerk in the hospital gift shop. Herbert and Ruth volunteered for mission work trips to Laurel Mission in Kentucky and Stillwell, Okla. While living at Heritage Pointe, Ruth volunteered in the gift shop and with bingo activities.

Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Herbert; four daughters, RoxyAnn (Michael) Casper of Decatur, Ind., Marsha Edwards of Indianapolis, Theresa (Gary) Wright of Frankton, Ind., and Denise Edwards of Corvallis, Mont.; one sister, Betty Jean Murray of Dixon; two brothers, Gerald Herbert Wiggins of Deltona, Fla., and Harold Allen Wiggins of Dixon; seven grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Frank Davis Wiggins Jr., on March 22, 2009. 

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m., followed by a celebration service at 3 p.m., Saturday at Heritage Pointe Chapel, 801 Huntington Ave., Warren. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery at Heritage Pointe. Glancy-H. Brown Chapel in Warren is handling arrangements.

Memorials have been established to UMMH Foundation in Warren, and Family Life Care in Berne, Ind.

Visit www.glancyfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.