Ruth Simmons

Ruth Marie Simmons, age 82, formerly of Caro, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Northwood Meadows in Cass City following a lengthy illness. The former Ruth Schoen was born on December 5, 1925, in Bellevue, Ohio, to the late Charles and Mary (Seasly) Schoen. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1943 and from Bowling Green State University in 1947. Ruth was a dedicated mother, grandma and great-grandma. A dedicated and beloved teacher, she taught English, home economics, and sixth grade in Clinton, Howell and Caro. Ruth loved her family and many friends. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, enjoyed playing bridge, and was active in various church and community organizations throughout her life. She is survived by three daughters and their spouses: Denise (Bob) Clarke of Eaton Rapids, Nancy (Jim) Lukey of Okemos, and Janis (Doug) Brining of Bad Axe; 11 grandchildren: Theresa Clarke of Austin, TX, John Clarke of Bloomfield Hills, Geoffrey Clarke of Madison Heights, Leigh (Max) Sprauer of Ann Arbor, Joseph Clarke and Alexander Clarke of Eaton Rapids, Ben (Natalia) Lukey of Honolulu, HI, Jolene (Robert) Nickel of State College, PA, Jennifer (Dan) Hamilton of Cincinnati, OH, Mark (Ashlie) Brining and Andrew (Stephanie) Brining, all of Bad Axe; 9 great-grandchildren; Antranig Clarke, Lauren and Rachel Sprauer, Eleu Lukey, Grace, Olivia and Emma Hamilton, Audrey and Lilly Brining; siblings: Richard (Kathryn) Schoen of Florida and Rita (Cy) Miller of Mansfield, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Kathryn Brining and Lillian Clarke, as well as two siblings, Frank Schoen and Sister Mary Charlesetta, SND. Funeral Liturgy will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caro on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dennis Kucharczyk officiating. There will be visitation at the Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Rite of Inurnment will be at Indianfields Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or Northwood Meadows of Cass City.