Ruth E. Martin

Ruth E. Martin, 81, of Coal Valley, Illinois, went Home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, in Trinity Rock Island, with her family by her side.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, with The Reverend Timothy Snart officiating. Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley. Memorials may be made to the church.

The former Ruth Eleanor Lees was born January 31, 1930, in Coal Valley, the daughter of Lyle and Alice (Harsha) Lees. She married Robert Martin on August 19, 1947, in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

Ruth ran "Alice and Ruth's Valley Lunch" in Coal Valley with her mother, worked as a self-employed beautician, and worked for Oak Glen Home.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, where served as a deacon, and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed playing tennis with her sisters, vacationing with her family, especially in Minnesota, doing yard work, and being outdoors. Wonderful in the kitchen, she always cooked Sunday dinners for her family, and ran a "Meals on Wheels" type service for widows in the neighborhood. Most of all, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.

Ruth is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Bob; sons and daughters-in-law, Ed and Lynn Martin of Orion, Illinois, Gary and Mary Kay Martin of Port Byron, Illinois, and Doug and Julia Martin of Coal Valley; granddaughters (and spouses), Amy (Brian) Gentry, Lisa (Andy) DeBaillie, Ginny (Hock) Ng, Jodie (Kevin) Mortensen, Sarah (Charlie) Ziegler, Amanda Martin, and Meghan (Jeff) Bontrager; step-grandchildren (and spouses), Darrick (Jessica) Hamerlinck, Tyler (Ashley) Hamerlinck, Tanner Coe, Karen (Aaron) Willett, and Heather Fredell; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Lou McWhinney, Lina and Marvin Anderson, and Darlene and Richard Anderson, all of Coal Valley; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Ruth Lees of Lynn Center, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Ruth?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.