Ruth E. Byers

Ruth Eleanor Byers, 98, of Akron, Ohio, passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. She was a resident at The Merriman in Akron, Ohio where she was being cared for due to Alzheimer's.

Born Ruth Eleanor Schubert, October 29, 1915, in Elyria, Ohio, to Vernon and Anna Schubert.

Ruth graduated in 1933 from Elyria High School and attended Oberlin College School of Business. She met her future husband at Elyria High School – Paul Austin Byers (Class of 1932.) They were married June 28, 1935 in Monroe Michigan. They continued to live in Elyria, Ohio until Paul graduated from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in 1937.

Ruth and Paul began their family in Elyria, Ohio. Their first son, Thomas Gary Byers, was born October 1936. They later moved to Painesville where their second son, Allan Verne Byers, was born December 1939. Their first daughter, Joan Elaine Byers Hodges was born April 1943 in LaPorte, Indiana. Another move was to Akron, Ohio in 1944. Their second daughter, Sylvia Jean Byers Paulk was born August 1947. Ruth and Paul remained in their home in Akron – happy with their two boys and two girls, each born approximately four years apart, and each one born in a different season -- Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer and different city. (Part of a plan???) All four are still with us.

Ruth was a member of Firestone Park United Methodist Church. She was active for many years in the women's circles at the church and was the President of the Wesleyan Service Guild of the FPUMC. She and her daughters regularly attended an annual United Methodist Women's gathering at Lakeside, OH on Lake Erie.

She was also active in the Firestone Park Garden Club, was a member of a bridge club and had been a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She and Paul had been involved with the local seniors' organization, sometimes going on trips. They enjoyed traveling especially after their retirement. Ruth had been a Church secretary after their children were grown.

Ruth also enjoyed sewing, playing the piano, playing Scrabble, card games, board games – always found time to play with the children. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her four children, Thomas (wife, Margo, deceased) in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Allan (wife, Roberta) in Akron, OH, Joan Hodges (husband, Alan Hodges) in Hoover, AL and Sylvia Paulk (divorced) in Akron, OH, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death (2001) by her husband of 66 years, her parents, sisters (Kathryn Alexander, Anna “Buddy” Pallas and Virginia “Ginny” Byars,) many aunts and uncles, other relatives and friends.

Ruth was kind, loving and soft-spoken and always had a beautiful smile to brighten up a person's day. She was friendly to people, even those she didn't know. One memory as an example was on a Sunday drive. While passing a military caravan (during the Vietnam War), she was smiling and waving to all passengers. They smiled and waved back. She kept a positive attitude even during difficult times.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 Noon Thursday, October 30 at CATAVOLOS Funeral Home 3653 W. Market St. Fairlawn where family will receive friends from 10am until time of services. Pastor Pat Christ of Firestone Park Methodist Church will be officiating. Interment will be at Rose Hill Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Ruth’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter 70 W. Streetsboro St. Suite 201 Hudson, OH 44236 or www.alz.org.