Ruth Helen Grapentine Sonnenberg Wilkinson of Shell Point Village, Ft Myers, FL., went to her heavenly Father on June 23, 2022. By faith she is united with Jesus Christ and reunited with so many dearly loved family members and friends.
Ruth was born in Beasley, TX on September 5, 1923 to parents William and Lydia Grapentine from Pulyny and Moisiivka, Ukraine whose parents migrated from and to Germany. She spent her younger years in Gladwin, MI. As a young woman, Ruth moved to the Detroit area where she would meet and marry John Gustav Sonnenberg in 1943 and raise their children. After John’s untimely death in 1972, Ruth moved to Boca Raton, Florida. She would find love again and marry Richard Wilkinson in 1997. They spent their years together at Missionary Village (Bradenton) and finally Shell Point. Richard passed in 2015.
Ruth is survived by her three children – Michael (Janet Schneider) Sonnenberg, Nancy (Roger) Schnepp, and Kathy (Doug, deceased) Rupp. Her grandchildren are Jami (Jonathan) Beukelman, Joel (Maria Solarte) Sonnenberg, Sommer Sonnenberg, Kyle (Jessi Butts) Sonnenberg, Beau and Ashley Schnepp, Kristin (Seabrook Riddle), Jordan (Kelsey) Rupp, and David Rupp. She was also blessed with great grandchildren Luke, Graham and Audrey Beukelman, Abi, Alana and Zeke Sonnenberg, Alexa, J.D. and Tyson Zeeb, and Finn Rupp. Her stepchildren are Rachel (Dan, deceased) Reedy, Rebecca (Ramez) Atallah, Ruth (John, deceased) Scully, Rhoda (David) Katz, Richard Wilkinson and Rosanne Wilkinson (deceased).
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Marian (William) Schmidt, Freda (Frank) Jezak, William (Rachel) and Carl (Ellie) Grapentine, and Esther Grapentine.
Ruth was a faithful prayer warrior who read and studied her Bible daily as well as reached out to people in need. She had a lifelong passion for missions. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: Trans World Radio, (twr.org) the Jesus Film Project (jesusfilm.org) and World Relief (Ukraine) (worldrelief.org)
Graveside services for immediate family only will be held in Michigan. A service of remembrance will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent through www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com
