Mary Ruth Dussling

Beloved wife of Herbert Dussling; dear daughter of the late George Ethel Nance; dear sister of Clyde and the late George Nance; dear sister-in-law of Peggy and Helen Nance, Margaret Duane and (the late Eric) Eleanor Dussling; dear aunt of Kathleen (Harlan) Heshelow, Suzanne (Eddie) Quigg, David (Karen) Nance, James (Karen) Nance, Tonya (Rick) Simpson, Kelly (Rayleen) Nance, Geoff (Karen) Duane and Jennette (Douglas Shapiro) Duane; dear great-aunt of Rachael Schaller, Chantelle (Stan) Brooks, Sabrina Nance, Zachary Nance, Nicole Simpson, Ashly Simpson, Jacob Nance, Emma Duane, Benjamin and Michael Shapiro; our dear friend to many.

Mary Ruth was born July 12, 1933 in East St. Louis, IL. The family then moved to Caseyville, IL. She graduated from Collinsville High School in 1951. She was a honor student and was the first girl to be elected President of Collinsville High School Band. This was a 72 piece band of which she played the cornet and was first chair in the brass section.

During her career, Mary Ruth was a court reporter for the Honorable Michael J. Carroll and the Honorable Judge J. Stussie. She also was an employee of Senator Thomas F. Eagleton when he was St. Louis City Circuit Attorney.

She married Herbert Dussling on August 16, 1969 at St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ in Collinsville, IL. The couple resided in Brentwood, MO.

Mary Ruth was Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1975 and had to give up her court reporting. In 1977, after this she became a licensed brailer and also worked with the hearing impaired. In addition, she was a student of the bible and loved to work in the garden.

Mary Ruth and Herb moved to Crestwood in 1988. They attended Brentwood Congregational Church from 1969 to 1988 and the Church of the Open Door from 1989 to the present time.

The funeral service will be held at Church of the Open Door (Big Bend and Grant) on Fri., Oct. 7, 2011 at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Disease. Visitation will be held at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa at Watson on Thurs. from 4-8 PM and on Fri. at church from 9 AM until the time of service. Please visit www.hoffmeistercolonial.com.