Ruth Mary Likens

Ruth Mary Likens of Caro, age 102, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 surrounded by her family at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community. She was born August 18, 1922 in Columbia Twp., the daughter of the late Leo and Lillian (Hare) Lewis. Ruth graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1941 and went on to attend Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Nampa, Idaho graduating in 1945. Ruth married Vilas J. McNeill in 1946 at the Colling Church of the Nazarene. Their marriage was blessed with many cherished memories and four wonderful daughters. Sadly, Vilas passed away in 1970. Ruth was able to find love again when she met Dallas D. Likens. They were married on October 7, 1972 and their marriage spanned forty-seven years before his passing in 2019.

A devoted member of the Colling Church of the Nazarene, Ruth served faithfully as church secretary and Sunday School teacher for many years. She was the Director of Nurses at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community, where she retired after twenty-three dedicated years. Ruth was a member of the Christian Motocycle Association for many years, a club she and Dallas enjoyed together. In her younger years, Ruth was a talented crafter, lovingly creating hand-decorated Christmas ornaments for each of her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and was known for her generosity, rarely uttering the word “no.” Ruth will be remembered for her sweet spirit, gentle kindness, and quiet strength, a legacy that will live on for generations.

Ruth leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Gwendolyn & Daryl Burt, Felicia Carr, Kathryn & Wayne Prich, and Suzanne & Lee Brown; stepchildren, Linette & Pat Johns, Ted & Laura Likens, and Luanne & Daniel Smith; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother, Ronald Lewis; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents and two husbands, Ruth was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jennifer LaPratt; great-grandson, Zackary LaPratt; siblings, Esther Jamison, John Lewis, Beatrice Kosto, Wilma Lewis, and Ellen Guilds.

Ruth’s funeral service will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the Colling Church of the Nazarene, 5061 Colling Road, Unionville, MI 48767, with Rev. Karen Wolfe officiating. Prior to the service on Friday, a private burial will take place at Almer Township Cemetery. The family will welcome visitors on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro and on Friday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Tuscola County Medical Care Community or the Colling Church of the Nazarene.