Mary Ruth Kear

After a valiant effort to overcome recent illnesses, Mary Ruth VanScoit Kear passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 11:43 pm, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born on December 27, 1921 in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, to the late Ray E. and Frances (England) VanScoit. She married Ralph Warren Kear on March 21, 1942. He preceded her in death on December 25, 1998. Also preceding her in death were a brother, Ray VanScoit, a sister, Miriam VanScoit Boehm and three infant brothers. Ruth, as she preferred to be called, was a resident of Forest, Ohio for 83 of her 88 years, last residing in Indianapolis, Indiana. She loved to tell stories of her adventures growing up in a small town. The roller skating rink, the picture show, a night club in someone’s barn, going to the grocery store for a dime’s worth of meat and a nickel’s worth of cheese, pestering her brother to ride in his soap box derby car and wrecking it were all part of small town life in Forest in the 1920’s and 30’s. She graduated from Forest High School in 1939. She was a loving mother to Peggy Anne McKinney (Robert), Indianapolis, Indiana, Warren Gene Kear (Becky), Virginia Beach, Virginia, Larry William Kear, Evanston, Illinois, and Steven Douglas Kear (Kathy), Perrysburg, Ohio, a loving grandmother to Rob (Elizabeth) and Jen McKinney, Chris (Lisa) and Sean (Chassidy) Kear, and Kristin, Jon and Sara Kear, and a loving great-grandmother to Tomas and Dharma Kear, Kylie Kear, and Smith and Hadley McKinney. Ruth was an accomplished needlewoman with kitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting among her favorite hobbies. Her quilts won several ribbons including a blue ribbon for appliquéd bed quilts, at the Somers, New York Quilt Show in 1988. A lifelong member of Big Oak United Methodist Church, her faith was an important part of her life. She was a member of the Ladies’ Aide Society. One of her greatest pleasures was being accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution Society in 2007. Her family and their history held a special place in her heart. Graveside services will be held at the Hueston Cemetery on Friday. February 19, 2010 at 11:00 am with Pastor Dennis Livingston officiating. It is open to the public. Memorial contributions may be made to the Forest-Jackson Public Library in care of Clark Shields Funeral Home 301 S. Patterson St. Forest, OH 45843. To extend a condolence or share a memory visit www.shieldsfh.com Clark Shields Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.