Ruth Leone Rowell

Ruth Leone Rowell of Caro, age 80, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at her home, following a lingering illness. Ruth was born March 20, 1936 in Caro, the daughter of the late Fred & Miriam Rickwalt and was a lifelong Caro resident. She graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1954 and spent the following years caring for her family and raising her four beloved children. Her early working years were spent in the medical field at Saginaw Osteopathic, Caro Community Hospital and the Caro Medical Clinic. She continued her studies at Delta College to become a Registered Nurse, retiring from the Caro Regional Center in 1995 after twenty years of service. Ruth was united in marriage with Ralph Rowell on May 24, 1971 in Caro, and he preceded her in death in September of 1996. She was an avid Detroit Pistons fan and loved nearly all outdoor activities, including sports, camping, snowmobiling, riding ATVs and spending time at Bois Blanc Island. In later years, Ruth and Ralph expanded their travels to national and international locations. Ruth continued to travel to Bois Blanc until her illness confined her last autumn. She was a member of Caro United Methodist Church, the Coast Guard Chapel on Bois Blanc Island where she served as a secretary and trustee. She also volunteered at the museum run by the Bois Blanc Island Historical Society where she served on the board of trustees. Ruth is survived by four children and their spouses, Beth Horner of Ypsilanti, Mike & Marsha Kaplaniak of Caro, Linda & Rick Timko of Caro, Laura Naughton of Lakeland, Florida; two step-sons and their wives, Frank & Denise Rowell of Tucson, Arizona, Fred & Mary Rowell of Dearborn Heights; grandchildren, Ryan Ford of Columbiaville, Ashley Kaplaniak of Plymouth, Seth Naughton of Apollo Beach, Florida, Tanya & Craig Stamford of Lansing, Kris & Ryan Hoeksema of Central Lake, Robert Rowell of Gilbert, Arizona, Amy Rowell of Newport News, Virginia; seven great-great-grandchildren; siblings and their spouses, Donald & Joan Rickwalt of Conroe, Texas, Dave & Margaret Rickwalt of Caro, Carolyn Rickwalt of Caro; two sisters-in-law, Penny Rickwalt of Okeechobee, Florida, Norma Rickwalt of Caro; many nieces and nephews and special friends, Janet Baker and Jim & Betty Hutchinson. In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Keith and Dean Rickwalt. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating. Burial will follow at a later time at the Ellington Township Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Rickwalt Family Discretionary Fund c/o Linda Timko, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723 or the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Thursday, April 14, 2016 Time: 11:00 am Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating.