Ruth Eleanor Mehuys

Ruth Eleanor Mehuys, 91, of Springfield, formerly of Moline, died Monday, March 12, 2018 at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL. Ruth was born in Rock Island, IL, December 24, 1926, a Christmas Eve baby, daughter of Arthur and Mary Harms. She attended Rock Island High School, Grinnell and Augustana Colleges. During summer breaks from Augustana, Ruth worked as a waitress at two dude ranches in Colorado. While at Augustana, she met her future husband, William W. Mehuys, a WWII combat veteran. They both studied Geology in college, married in 1948 and raised four children in Moline. William was re-called to Army duty in 1950 at the outbreak of the Korean War and stationed in Austria. For most of 1951, Ruth joined him there, along with their firstborn, David, an experience which she often said was one of her favorite memories. After the Korean War, William worked for a geologic firm in a search for uranium in Wyoming; she was able to join him, along with their first two boys. William preceded her in death in 1984 and she was also preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Lynne Mary. Ruth worked as a secretary for businesses, as a school librarian and finally a school secretary for the Moline Public School System. After William's death, she retired and spent time enjoying the company of friends, travelling to the Western United States and Europe. In more recent years, she was the remaining person among her friends who could still drive them around town on errands. She visited a friend who had lost her sight once a week to read books to her out loud. She moved to Springfield, IL in September 2014. She will be dearly missed by her brother Eugene A. Harms of West Park, NY, three sons; David (Becky) Mehuys of Moline, Christopher (Kathy) Mehuys of Chatham and John (Meghan) Mehuys of Columbia, MO; grandchildren, Adam (Anita), Michael, Omega, and Evan Mehuys; great-grandchild Astarael Marie Handleman, and cousins. Her family will greet friends from 9am until the time of the funeral service at 10am, Monday, March 19, at All Saints Episcopal Church, with Fr. Roger Hungerford officiating. Committal will follow at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct memorial contributions to All Saints Episcopal Church, 3145 31st Avenue, Rock Island, IL, 61201. Staab Polk Funeral Home 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, IL, 62629, is serving the family. Please visit www.StaabPolk.com to leave condolences or memories.