Ruth E Brown

Ruth E. Brown, of Knoxville, passed on March 21, 2016, at 10:05 pm at St. Mary’s Hospital, Galesburg, IL of a sudden illness. Ruth was the youngest child of Agnes and Samuel Patton. She was born on January 31, 1933, and was raised and lived her entire life in Knoxville. She had siblings, sisters Dorothy and Catherine, brother Paul and another brother Robert, who died at birth. She married Ralph Brown in 1961, and they had a daughter Julie. Ruth graduated from Knoxville High School, class of 1951, and went to what was then called Western Teacher’s College (now Western Illinois University) in Macomb. Ruth taught elementary school for over 32 years. She started teaching in the Deerfield, Il school district, then came home and taught in District 205 for the rest of her career. She was at Weston and King schools, where she was a second grade teacher for many years. She was member of Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville. Ruth had a lot of loves. She loved her family, her church and Knoxville. She loved being able to visit her grandchildren and her grand dog Hot Rod. She loved watching her grandson pitch, and play goalie in soccer. She loved watching her granddaughter dance and play volleyball. She loved taking Hot Rod on walks and spoiling him with treats and toys. She loved going bowling every Tuesday night, getting together for lunch or dinner with her dear teacher friends, going out to dinner after Saturday night church or breakfast after Sunday services. She loved getting out and going to the movies, and going to tag sales. She loved going to the Half a Hundred Club dinner with her high school classmates, and getting together with her Tri-Sigma sisters from Western. Her friends meant so much to her. She loved to engage in conversation, and had a wonderful smile and laugh. She is survived by her daughter Julie (Rick) Kapsch of Lisle, and the joys of her life, her grandchildren, Elizabeth and Joseph. She is also survived by her sister, Catherine Stinson, Knoxville and her children: Linda (Jim) Malec of Zionsville, IN and their children Christopher (Sara) Malec and Nicholas Malec; Paula (Mike) Homan of Edwardsville; and Roger (Teri) Stinson of Maryville OH, and their children and grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dorothy, her brother Paul, and her brother Robert. Visitation will be Thursday, March 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville. Funeral will be Friday, March 25 at 10:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Il, with the Rev Michel Clark officiating. Graveside service at Knoxville Cemetery and fellowship at Grace Lutheran Church will follow. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. On-line condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth E Brown please visit our Sympathy Store.