Ruth H. Montion

Ruth Herrera Montion beloved mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother exited this world March 18, 2023 at the age of 98 years. She was born on July 4, 1924 to Francisco Herrera and Maria Bojorquez Herrera in Superior, Arizona. Ruth was the last remaining member of her 11 siblings who she loved dearly.

Ruth graduated from Superior High School in 1942. She married Louis C. Montion in Florence, Arizona. Ruth said, he told her he was going to marry her the first time he met her when she was 16 years old. They moved to Visalia, California in 1944 to join her family before Louis joined the Army and shipped to Japan during WW II. Their first son Louis Montion Jr. was born in Superior, Arizona in 1943 and her first daughter followed in 1945. Four other children followed. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2001.

Ruth spent much time in school activities with her children. She served many years in various PTA activities at Holy Family School in Visalia. Ruth spent 16 wonderful years as a cafeteria worker for Visalia Unified School District and was very proud of the years she was the cafeteria manager at Houston Elementary School. After retirement in 1989, Ruth spent many hours caring for many of her grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. She loved children and they automatically gravitated to her. In her last years, her greatest joy was having the great and great great grandchildren visit her. Ruth and Louis were founding members of Holy Family Catholic Church and later she enjoyed attending St. Charles Boromeo Church.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Louis C. Montion, her sons Louis Montion, Jr. and Robert Montion; also by her parents and 11 siblings.

Ruth is survived by her children Micaela (Joseph) Casarez, Mary (Frank) Ontiveros, Erma (Mark) Montion-Okino, Gilbert (Claudia) Montion and her daughters in law, Teresa Montion and Sylvia Vaca Montion. Ruth is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, Richard, Joseph (Chico), Christopher, Natalie, Mary Louise, Michelle, Steven, Cynthia, Margaret, Christina, Jose, Peter, Robert, Matthew, Eric, Beetrie and Olivia. Ruth also had 30 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren with 2 more due later this year. She is also survived by many grand children, great and great great grandchildren by marriage and many nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly.

A Visitation Service to celebrate her well-lived life will take place on Sunday April 2, 2023 at Miller Memorial Chapel 1120 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM with the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church 1908 North Court Street, Visalia at 10:30 AM on Monday April 3, 2023 followed by Interment at Visalia Public Cemetery District. A reception will follow at the PPAV Hall after interment.

The family would like to thank the staff of Park Visalia Assisted Living for providing her kind and compassionate care over the last 2 years and the staff of Ruth Woods Open Arms House for providing loving care in the last few days of life. In lieu of flowers, donations to Ruth Woods Open House at 3234 West Iris Ave, Visalia 93277 or the Bethlehem Center are welcomed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Montion family.