Pauline & Gary Ruthig

Pauline Ruthig passed away on January 21, 2021 and her oldest son, Gary passed away on May 2, 2021. A Celebration of Life to honor both, mother and son, will be held on Saturday August 7, 2021 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel.

Pauline Ruthig, age 98, passed away peacefully at her residence, on Thursday, January 21, 2021. The youngest of eight children, she was born on April 2, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to the late James and Regina Smith.

After graduating from Wayne High School in 1939, she worked at Industrial Wire Cloth for about two years. She met Alger Ruthig in 1941, and they married in February of 1942. By December of that same year, the first of their ten children was born, and thus, began her lifelong "career" as hard-working, loving mother.

Pauline was a devoted catholic and long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wayne. Her five eldest attended school there, and she was a member of the Altar Society.

Homemaking consumed the better part of nearly all her days before her kids left the nest, but Pauline managed to carve out a little time to enjoy bowling and card club. She also loved to dance. Although child rearing left little time (and energy) for parties or dance halls, she always made her way to the dance floor at family weddings and other celebrations, and there were plenty to be had. Pauline was the matriarch of 10 children, 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She also counted their spouses and step-children as her own.

After Alger retired in 1974, the two moved to Gladwin, Michigan, bringing their two youngest with them. Together, they hosted many weekend cookouts and several snowmobile excursions. In the quietude of their later years, they enjoyed long car rides and occasionally took mini vacations in the upper-Michigan area.

Pauline remained in Gladwin for about nine years after Alger passed away, then moved to Grand Rapids in 2009. She lived independently in her apartment for seven years, where she enjoyed watching Detroit Tiger baseball games and playing bingo.

Although she proclaimed to have no artistic talent and insisted she “couldn’t carry a tune on a platter," she found the courage to partake of an in-house art class and the facility’s glee club. She further surprised herself, and her family, by participating in a few of the Westminster Meadows thespian club productions.

She moved to Holland Home’s Fulton Manor in September, 2016, where daily life slowed down a bit. Pauline continued to watch Tiger games and joined in a few group activities but passed much of her time working word puzzles and reading. She transferred to Raybrook Manor in October, 2018, where she lived out her remaining years. It deserves mention that she took particular pleasure in beating anyone who dared oppose her in euchre or Skip-Bo card games, and did so, often.

Pauline was well loved by her family, her many friends and the community. She is survived by eight of her children: (Rita), Tom (Lettie), Sue Schroeder (Ron), Frani Ruthig (Jack), Lonnie (Becky), Chuck (Debbie), Mary McClain (Mike), Jeanne Couch (Gabe), Jeff (Wendy) and son-in-law Mike Dani. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Alger, son, Gary and daughter, Barb.

Gary William Ruthig, age 78, passed away in his Summerfield, Florida home on May 2, 2021. The first of 10 children, he was born in the Inkster, Michigan family home of his parents, the late Pauline and Alger Ruthig.

The family moved to Wayne, Michigan where Gary attended Jackson Elementary School, then graduated from St. Mary’s high school in 1960. As a teen, he performed basic car mechanics and “light” work for his dad at Cliff & Al’s Garage then moved on to a job at Napa Auto Parts as a young adult.

In the summer of 1963, Gary met Rita Cox through mutual acquaintances, and they were married at the end of November. In August of the following year, their first baby, David, was born. Shortly thereafter, Gary landed a job at the Ford Motor Company so that he could more comfortably support his family. A few short years later, Beth joined the family, and another job upgrade was in order. He entered into an apprenticeship of die-making in May of 1968 and earned his associates degree while in the process. About the time Gary earned his stripes as a full-fledged tool and die maker, their son, Bryan, was born.

The whole family moved to Milford, Michigan in the mid-70s. While the kids were young, the family enjoyed camping, fishing and sports. Gary and his brother, Tom, coached their four boys’ hockey team for a time, and the two played on the same over-30 hockey and softball teams together. The kids grew into adulthood, and the parents grew into empty-nesters. And though the nest was empty, life was still very full. Grandchildren began to arrive, 7 in all, and eventually, 8 great-grandchildren.

Gary remained with Ford (nearly 39 years in total), until he retired in April, 2002. Looking forward to sunshine and golf, he and Rita moved to Florida just three months later. He barely began to settle into retirement when he answered the call from Ford to teach classes related to plant safety on an as-needed basis. He did this for a couple of years, but the job still left plenty of time for relaxing and fun. Obviously not one to sit still, Gary played softball (well into his 60s), he golfed as often as he could, and he rode his bicycle. He participated in community events and organizations. He also enjoyed playing cards and attending functions like trivia night. He liked people, and people liked him.

Married 57 years to the love of his life, Gary finally succumbed to metastatic kidney cancer under her tender care, and that of his children and hospice. He is survived by Rita, David, Beth, and Bryan (Robyn); his grandchildren Garrett, Gunner, Jessica, Brittany (Joe), Jordan (Dustin), Madison (Bailey) and Brynlyn; his great-grandchildren Blake, Lily, Zach, Aria, Declan, Charleston, Mackenzie and Colton; eight of his siblings. Gary is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara.