Ruth A. Criswell's Obituary
Ruth A. Criswell, age 85, of Centerville, Iowa, died Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. She was born the daughter of Jacob Owen and Minnie (Doty) Wenger on September 21, 1922 in Brooklyn, Iowa. She graduated from the Brooklyn Community Schools in 1940 and taught in a rural school in the Brooklyn area for many years.On June 4, 1942, Ruth was united in marriage to L. Howard Criswell at the First United Methodist Church Parsonage in Grinnell, Iowa. She taught school for several years while Howard left for the service. After Howard returned from the service, he was employed by Iowa Southern Utilities. They lived in Grinnell, Iowa, then transferred to Leon, Iowa; then to Ottumwa, Iowa before moving to Centerville in 1958. Through those years, Ruth worked in retail and would later work at the City Book Store in Centerville. She became the owner of the City Book Store in Centerville in 1964 and managed the store until she retired in 1984. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. As a member of the Order of Eastern Star, she was a Past Matron and a Grand Representative to Alabama. Also, Ruth was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Through her working years, she enjoyed her affiliation with the local retail merchants organizations and the Chamber of Commerce.She is preceded in death by: her parents, brother, Alvin Wenger and a daughter-in-law, Charlotte Criswell.Ruth is survived by: her husband, L. Howard Criswell of Centerville, Iowa; daughter, Sherry Farrington and her husband, John; son, Dennis Criswell of Corydon, Iowa; grandchildren, Paige Prendergast of Larkspur, Colorado, Jennifer Della Vedova of Ankeny, Iowa and Chad Criswell of Altoona, Iowa; eight great grandchildren; sister, Laura Hall of Brooklyn, Iowa and brother, Owen Wenger of Brooklyn, Iowa.A Celebration of Ruth's Life will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa with Rev. Dianne Christopher officiating. Burial will follow at the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21, 2008 from 1 pm till 8 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the family present from 6 pm till 8 pm and a Eastern Star Service will be held at 7 pm at the funeral home.Memorials can be made to either the First United Methodist Church or 18/80 Club and can be left at the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth A. Criswell please visit our Sympathy Store.
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