Ruth Louise Meradith was born July 22, 1933 to Paul and Justine Coyle Meradith in Taylor Ridge, IL., a small town only six miles from the Mississippi River. She moved at an early age with her parents to other cities in Illinois as her father was a Methodist minister who served churches in many places in Central Illinois.
Ruth graduated from high school in 1950 at Spoon River Valley Unit District No 4, a consolidated school near Fairview, IL. She attended college at the University of Illinois in Champagne-Urbana. She returned to college in the 1980s and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Ruth was married to Harold Wallace Hardy Jr. at East St. Louis, Ill. They had two children. She then married Jim DeSilver on March 3, 1972. He had three children by a previous marriage.
Ruth Worked at several jobs throughout her working career in Illinois, and in Chandler, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman, OK. She retired from the University of Oklahoma staff on August 1, 1998, serving there for 17 years.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and son, Paul M. Hardy.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Jim DeSilver, one son, David Hardy of Norman, three stepchildren, DeAnn Gatlin of Lawton, Debi DeSilver of Chickasha, Jay DeSilver of Lawton. Three grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
Memorial Services with be held at Primrose Funeral Services Chapel on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at 2:00 PM.
