Born on November 26, 1929, Ruth was a 1947 graduate of Greensburg High School. On September 23, 1949, she married the love of her life, Donald L. Wilhoit. They built a beautiful life together, and for more than 25 years Ruth worked as a cashier and bookkeeper at the A&P grocery store. She also served as president of her sorority, Delta Theta Tau.
Ruth and Donald shared a deep love of travel, and it took them to 49 of the 50 states, all but Alaska. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii, a trip she remembered fondly.
Ruth was kind and funny, with a sharp wit and a sarcastic sense of humor that could catch you off guard and leave you laughing. She always had time for the people she loved. She was an avid reader and worked her crossword puzzles in pen, because she was that good. She loved bowling, baking, cats, and fishing. Her favorite color was purple. Above all, she loved being with her family.
Ruth was a woman of deep faith and a faithful member of Greensburg Lifeline Wesleyan Church. She read her Bible and loved to sing the old hymns.
Christmas was her favorite time of year. Ruth was notorious for sneaking M&Ms and jellybeans to her grandchildren and great-grandbabies, and every now and then to herself.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. Wilhoit; her parents, Milton and Effie (Lee) Barnard; her father- and mother-in-law, George and Josephine (Vernon) Wilhoit; and her four siblings, Mary Alice Crawley, Jean Humpert, Roland Barnard, and Jacqueline Swegman.
She is survived by her favorite soul on earth, her daughter, Donna Beth (Wilhoit) Niehoff, and son-in-law, Donald J. Niehoff. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, the light of her life: Ben (Heather) Niehoff, Angela (Devon) DelVecchio, and Carrie (Matthew) Sander. She adored her 11 great-grandchildren: Sydney, Rian, Kieran, Lexi, Finley Ruth, Josephine, Austin, Liam, Ari, Christian, and Mason.
Ruth was especially thankful to her niece, MaryAnn Crawley, for all of her enjoyable visits. Ruth and her family are especially thankful for the nurses and staff at St. Andrew’s Health Center for their exceptional care, and for Rachel Gilbreath who provided comfort and compassion to all of us during Ruth’s time at St. Andrew’s.
We will think of Ruth every time we see purple, and we will wear it to celebrate her.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Gilliland Howe Funeral Home, 110 E. North Street, Greensburg, Indiana, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Doug Preston will be officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ruth's honor to Greensburg Lifeline Wesleyan Church or the Oxford Catty Shack. Condolences and fond memories can be shared with the family at www.gilliland-howe.com
