Ruth Eleanor Reynolds

Born July 23, 1936 in Osceola, Iowa to Rev. Allen N. and Ethel I. Reynolds, Ruth attended schools where her father served as a Friends (Quaker) pastor within Iowa and Western Yearly Meeting of Friends. She graduated from Ridge Farm, IL. Twp. High School in 1954, one of the first three high schools to be certified in the state of Illinois.

A 13th generation American Quaker, her heritage included pioneering and establishing new settlements, schools and churches. Ruth graduated from Earlham College in 1958 and became the first "inexperienced" Grade One teacher at Arlington Heights, Il, a test case which changed the policy of having only experienced teachers in Grade One.

Moving to Denver with her new husband, Myron Vourax, she taught Grade Two at Edison School. A career move for her husband brought them to Carbondale, Il., where she taught Grade Four and then Kindergarten. With the arrival of their first child, Celeste, Ruth became a fulltime homemaker, wife and mother. A skilled seamstress, she designed clothing for family members, friends, and sewed countless items for their homes.

Another career move of her husband's brought them to Clemmons, N. C., where their son, Anthony, was born, and subsequently to Winston Salem, where she supported her husband as Director of the fledgling Nature Science Center, was active as a volunteer in numerous Nature Science Center museum programs, wrote a weekly newspaper column, was a docent at historic Old Salem, active in the Symphony Guild, P.T.O., church and civic activities. As the only "northerner" on the PTO board, she was asked to conduct week-end meetings with parents to discuss the changes which Civil Rights and bussing would bring about. Through her church efforts, she was active in bridging racial gaps and working toward social justice.

Moving to Fishers, Indiana in 1971, her husband began a new career as Director of Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement. Ruth filled several volunteer roles at Conner Prairie, the local P.T.O., Friends' Womens' Society, chaired the Greater Indianapolis Earlham Alumni Association and later worked as an editorial assistant at the Noblesville Ledger.

Following a divorce in 1975, she and the children moved to Zionsville, IN, and she began work as Secretary to the Director of Professional Development for Indiana State Teachers' Association. Career moves enabled her to increase her income and as Administrator of the Hamilton County Public Service Employment, it grew to the largest in the state.

In 1980 she married jazz trombonist Loren Binford and moved to Arlington Heights, IL, and devoted her time to family needs, church, and community while continuing graduate studies. She was certified in Management of the Arts by UNC Chapel Hill. Resuming her maiden name in 1990, she began work as an Administrative Assistant with FedEx Customer Service (5 years) and Sales (15 years), retiring in 2011.

Her greatest love was her family, their development, opportunities and success, in spite of challenges, her cherished grandchildren, and still later, her great grandchildren.

Ruth delighted in her opportunities for world travel in her 60's and 70's which included Australia, Great Britain, France, Greece, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, some cruises and US national parks and other domestic trips.

Ruth was a 50-year member of P.E.O. and served in several offices. She was especially devoted to finding educational opportunities for young women. She served on the Board of her Homeowners' Association for 25 years, was active as a community volunteer. She was a member of the Indiana Society of Pioneer, First Friends Church of Indianapolis and the Indiana Historical Society.

She is survived by her daughter, Celeste V. (Leo) Thompson, son Anthony A. (Kristina P.) Vourax, three grandchildren: Traci V. (Kurt) Friedmann, Peter M. and Payton B. Vourax, two great grand-daughters, Emma Reese and Grace Olivia Friedmann, two sisters: Margaret A. Merli of Canandaigua, N. Y. and Eunice R. Hassell of Fort Wayne, IN, four nephews: Robert (Maureen), David (Nicole) Merli and G. Todd (Jammie) and Douglas (Kelly) Hassell .

A visitation and Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Ruth's family will receive guests from 1:00 pm until the time of the Celebration of Life. For those unable to attend the Celebration of Life, a live stream can be viewed by clicking the link in “Events” below. Memorial services and interment will be held later at Vermilion Grove, IL., an ancestral site.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift might consider Earlham College at 801 National Road W. in Richmond, IN 74374, Class of 1958 fund or the P.E.O. Foundation at 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312.