Ruth Rose Vaughn

Ruth was born on December 22nd, 1922 in Wyoming, OH to Horace and Gertrude Lawson, and was raised with her brothers in Middletown, OH. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1940. She was an accomplished musician, playing the trombone in the Middletown High School Marching Band, piano, and accordion with a trio that toured the local area of Southwest Ohio. She was also one of the first employees at Armco International, working as their controller from 1941 until she left there to start and raise a family in 1956. That year, she married Arlie Vaughn and over the next eight years, they welcomed 6 children into their home. Ruth loved the outdoors, gardening, and animals, and her home was filled not only with children, but with dogs, cats, birds, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, and whatever other creatures her children would bring home to her. As her children grew older, Ruth returned to the workforce, joining Al and Cherie Berns and their family at Berns Greenhouse on Yankee Road, then later moving with them to the Berns Garden Center. Ruth worked the nursery and landscaping side of the business and loved everyone she worked with at Berns. She considered it more a life passion than a job, working there for 30 years before retiring on 2005 at the age of 83. In those later years, Ruth and Arlie enjoyed traveling across the US together, visiting the National Parks, and the West Coast on numerous occasions. Ruth loved life, family, and laughter, mingling all together over her 95 years, bringing a smile to the face of everyone she met.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Herbert Lawson.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Arlie Vaughn with whom she recently celebrated her 62nd wedding anniversary; her brothers Dan Lawson of Abilene, TX and Greg Lawson of Ft. Pierce, FL; her six children, Amy of La Palma, CA, Toby (Denise) of Rolesville, NC, Kerry (Donna) of San Antonio, TX, Thad (Lori) of Fishers, IN, Adam (Susan) of Franklin, OH, and Polly of Middletown, OH; 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

Visitation will be on Sunday evening, February 4th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Breitenbach Anderson Funeral Home, and the Funeral Mass will be held at St. John's Church, Holy Family Parish on Monday morning, February 5th at 10:00 am. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ruth's life with her family and friends. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton.

Please visit www.breitenbach-anderson.com to send an online condolence.