Ruth Darlene Claspell

Ruth Darlene Claspell, 82, of Evansville, IN, passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2020. She was born on March 15, 1938 to Willard “Frank” Doneghue and Alma “Mary” (Richardson) Gray. She was the owner and operator of Nana’s Nursery Childcare Provider for 30 years, where she was known as “Nana Ruth.” She was a co-founder and co-director of River City Child Care Inc., a Child and Adult Care Food Program/CACFP for licensed daycare homes from 1980 – 2000. She was instrumental in bringing the child nutrition program for licensed daycare homes to Vanderburgh County subsequently to all surrounding counties. It was a major accomplishment that she was very proud of. Traveling to Indianapolis to get legislation passed and even help write legislation regarding licensing and all things related to licensed daycare homes and nutrition. She enjoyed vacationing in Florida and visiting Disney World. Ruth was a member of St. Benedict Cathedral where she would bake pies for church meals and summer socials. She was a wonderful cook, who would bake cookies for every Christmas and gift them to everyone she knew. Ruth loved the holidays, cooking and celebrating with all of her family together. Giving others joy is what made her happy. Everyone who met her loved her. She loved her children and grandchildren who were the center of her world. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orrie Lee Claspell, Sr.; son, Timothy Robert Claspell; and two great-grandchildren, Colton and Tyler. She is survived by her children, Gregory Lewis Claspell (Nancy), Lee Claspell (Carol), Tammie Bivens (Ernest), and Brian Claspell (Vicki); daughter-in-law, Lynne Claspell; grandchildren, Michael, Jenna, Kyle, Jason, Chrissy, Isaac, Candice, Megan, Andrea, Chris, Brandi, Jake, Jessica, Danielle, Nicole, Devon, Rachel, Matthew, Joshua, Sarah, Nick, Cassidy, and Nolan; 27 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at University Nursing and Rehabilitation and Aseracare Hospice for their love and compassion for the woman they even knew as Mom. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020 at St. Benedict Cathedral with The Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen OSB officiating. Entombment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Alexander East Chapel. Ruth’s service will be livestreamed at 11:00 a.m. on Friday using the following link, www.facebook.com/saintbenedictcathedral Memorial contributions can be made to St. Benedict Cathedral. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.