Ruth Janelle Paxton, age 80, of Mesa, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 due to a stroke. Preceded in death by her parents, Herbert & Lucille Adcock, and her sister, Jean L. Meredith, she is survived by her husband of 55 years, Larry G. Paxton; daughter Deborah Sterkowitz of Delaware, OH, grandson Andrew K. Sterkowitz (Megan) of Gilbert; and also other relatives and friends. Mrs. Paxton was born in Logan, OH where her father & brother owned & operated the Logan Home Dairy. She attended Lash High School in Zanesville, OH & received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University. After retiring to Arizona in 1986, Mrs. Paxton became a Duncan Certified Instructor to teach ceramics & was a talented ceramicist. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Melcher Mortuary Mission Chapel on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. Friends and family can send a donation in lieu of flowers to St. Benedict Catholic Church in Phoenix, AZ.