Violet Ruth Johnson, 86, of Galesburg, IL passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Carle Health Proctor Hospital in Peoria, IL.
She was born April 5, 1938, in East St. Louis, IL to Herschel and Cora Carr Rippy. Her parents and siblings Sherman Rippy, Melvin Rippy, Kenny Rippy and Ann Thuller preceded her in death.
Ruth married the love of her life Dale Johnson on June 15, 1957, in East St. Louis, IL; he succeeded her in death on January 22, 2025. Dale and Ruth dated 4 years and were married for 67 years for a total of 71 years together.
She is survived by her children, Mark (Sue) Johnson, Monmouth, IL; Judy (Mike) Simkins, Knoxville, IL; Lisa (Darrell) Smith, E. Peoria, IL; Eric (Ann) Johnson, Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Mark Johnson, Jenny (Stephen) Hurst, Bradley (Maddie) Hale, Hannah (Aaron) Lipe, Lillian (Tanner) Hurt, Jacob (Rebecca) Smith, Joshua (Kayla) Smith, Jeremiah (Maria) Smith, Nathan Johnson, Sarah Johnson and great-grandchildren, Abbi, Riley, Aiden, Asher, Declan, Jovian, Miller Kate, Molly, Ellie, Gus, Winnie, Lottie and another great grandson on the way. She is also survived by her sister’s husband, Robert Thuller, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruth mentored and loved on others as a regular part of her life and many of those people lovingly called her mom as well.
Ruth lived her childhood and young adult years in the Metro East area in Illinois near St. Louis. In 1971, Dale was transferred to Galesburg and since then, she and Dale made Galesburg their home. Ruth attended a Nazarene church nearly all her life and was a member of the Galesburg Nazarene church for over 50 years and a member of the Crestview Nazarene church in the 1960s where her parents also attended. Ruth and her husband shared many special friendships in both churches.
Ruth graduated from East St. Louis High School with a specialty in office occupations. She worked for several years as a secretary. She was a stay-at-home mom for over 25 years while also selling Avon. She then had a second career as a hearing aid specialist before retiring in her late 60s.
Ruth devoted her life to Jesus through service to the church. Some of her many roles included singing in the choir, teen director, children’s director, and church board member. Her most prominent role was that of a lifelong bible teacher. She studied the Word of God regularly and her love for the scriptures was evident as she taught Sunday school along with many bible studies. Even this past year, she faithfully taught a weekly bible study at her living center.
Ruth loved holiday family dinners and hosting guests in her home. She enjoyed cooking for these times and was most happy when all her children made it home. In her later years, she and Dale cherished their dogs, Missy, Bitsy, and Bear.
A celebration of life for both Dale and Ruth will be 1 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Galesburg Nazarene Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at noon. Memorials may be made to the special bible fund at the Galesburg First Church or to the Roseville, Illinois Church of the Nazarene. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.