Shetler Snyder, Ruth Marie (nee: Zuercher)
Ruth Marie (nee: Zuercher) Shetler Snyder, age 88, of Orrville, formerly of Smithville, died Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster, following a short period of declining health.
Ruth was born on November 19, 1931, in Mount Eaton, Ohio, to the late Enos and Elma (Shoup) Zuercher. The family moved to a farm on Kansas Road, south of Orrville, where she attended grades one through eight at the Carr School, one of the last one-room schools in Wayne County. She graduated from Apple Creek High School in 1949. She married LaVern Shetler on November 24, 1955, in Kidron and they began their family in Apple Creek before moving to Smithville. LaVern died on September 18, 1990. She later married Virgil Snyder on November 26, 1994 in Smithville and they enjoyed 11 months together until his death on October 29, 1995.
Ruth was a homemaker and a member of Smithville Mennonite Church where she was active in the women’s sewing group (Mennonite Women) and the women’s Prayer Group. She enjoyed flowers and was an avid gardener. She also enjoyed word games, visiting shut-ins, and practiced “creative thrifting” long before it was fashionable. She delighted in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving are six children, Reuben (Diane) Shetler of Belleville, PA, Nancy (Zawdie) Abiade of Muskegon, MI, Vivian (Sherman) Schwartz of Phoenix, AZ, Robert (Ruth) Shetler of Orrville, Richard (Velma) Shetler of Orrville, and Dorothy (Brian) Pearce of Smithville; step-son, Ken (Barbara) Snyder of Massillon; fifteen grandchildren, Willow Shetler, Ayannah (Michael) Mers, Aysha (Moses) Abiade Lahey, Anika Abiade, Ryan (Deborah) Schwartz, Nicholas (Erin) Schwartz, Aaron (Ashton) Shetler, Emily (Jake) Tighe, Allison (Jake) Ihasz, Matthew (Venessa) Shetler, Elijah Shetler, Christy Pearce, Caleb Pearce, April Pearce, and Beth Pearce; beloved great nephew, Dan (Cara) Boney and their three children; and seven (soon to be eight) great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the residents and staff at OrrVilla Maple Terrace and the gracious and loving staff at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare.
Memorial contributions may be made to Love Is A Verb, 1470 Smith Kramer Street SE, Hartville, OH 44632. This ministry serves Akron’s homeless population.
Friends may call on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Smithville Mennonite Church, 6097 Akron Road, Smithville, from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.
Services will follow at 2:00 pm on Sunday, at the church, with Pastor Todd Martin officiating. The service will be live streamed at https://m.youtube.com/user/SMCsermons. Burial will take place at the Kidron Mennonite Cemetery in Kidron.
The family has chosen to have a public event. Although funeral events are exempt from current gathering limitations, the risk of virus transmission from one person to another is much higher at a public event. Visitors are asked to wear masks, practice social distancing, and adhere to the posted signs and spacing limitations. Seating may be limited.
