Ruth Ann Pickus

Ruth Ann was a 1959 graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Belleville, IL. She worked in St. Louis as a portrait studio touch up artist until her illness. She was a loving sister and aunt who loved to draw and was an animal lover.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Carmelita Pickus (nee Conrad); her brother, Ronald J. (Mary Ann) Pickus; grandparents, Herman and Anna Pickus (nee Ehret); brother-in-law, Claude F. Shanks, Jr.; and nephew, Chris Pickus

Surviving are her sister, Elaine M. Shanks of Belleville; nieces, Debby Hedrick of Cutler, IL and Susan Shanks of Belleville, and Virginia Pickus of Millstadt; Jeffrey A. (Kelly) Shanks of Swansea, Jimmy (Debbie) Pickus of Millstadt, and Paul Pickus of Swansea; great nieces, Amber L. Kuchenbecker (fiancé Mike Joyce) of Seattle, WA; great nephews, Jimmy Hedrick of Belleville, Timothy Hedrick of Cutler, IL, Justin Kuchenbecker of Seattle, WA, Bryan Shanks of Swansea, Garrett Shanks of Belleville, and Josh, Alex, Brandon, and Connor Pickus of Millstadt; great great nieces, Madelyn, Savannah, Skylar, Haley, and Bailey; and great great nephews, Christian and Ian. Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society, Belleville Area Humane Society, or the family.

A special thank you to all the doctors, nurses, aides, and others who assisted with her care.

Friends may call on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Service is at the funeral home on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10 a.m. Interment at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.

VALHALLA-GAERDNER-HOLTEN FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, IL