Ruth Ann Kearney

Ruth Ann passed away on October 24, 2021 with her son and daughter by her side. She was born January 6, 1931. Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Haen and Ula (Elwell) Haen, her husband Norman D. Kearney, her brother Peter Haen, sister Jean Schickel and her grandson Logan P. Sterling. Ruth Ann is survived by her son, Mark R. Sterling; daughters, Patty J. (Victor) Marsh, Danielle (Shahir) Raslan; step-children, Michael (Dori) Kearney, Lynn (Lisa Clark) Kearney, Jeffrey (Jean) Kearney; grandchildren, Alex Sterling, Dr. Erica (Jake) Bonura, Ian Marsh, Kiara Marsh, Kareem Raslan, Omar (Deema) Raslan, Maha Raslan, Nour Raslan, Erin (Kevin) Gehrke, Phil (Julia) Kearney, Sarah (Brian) Leatherman, Amanda (Jeff) Kearney-Smith, Emily (Dan) Keeley, Teona Rivera, Karissa Chambers, Torance Richmond, Darrin Richmond and Roman Richmond; great-grandchildren, Calem Sterling, Bella Hall, Gia and Kayla Leatherman, Henry and Arthur Keeley, Howard and Elizabeth Gehrke; niece, Cathy Schickel-Foley; nephew, Craig (Mary Beth) Schickel; great nieces, Jennifer Foley, Stephanie Jonas, Katie Schickel; and great-nephews, Donald and Scottie Schickel.

Ruth Ann graduated from East High School in 1949 and then attended and graduated from George Peabody Teacher’s College in 1953. She later earned her Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. She taught first and second grades at Ellen Stiles Elementary, Morris Kennedy Elementary and Brookview Elementary Schools, where she retired after a long and successful teaching career.

Ruth Ann was active at Christ United Methodist Church on Alpine Road for close to 50 years, where she was active in many programs and left numerous friends.

A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, IL 61107 with a funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please leave donations to Christ United Methodist Church’s Youth Ministry.