E. Ruth Wambsganss

Emma Ruth (Bricker) Wambsganss, 96, of Vancrest Health Care Center in Convoy died Saturday, June 25, 2016, following an extended illness.

She was born November 24, 1919, in Convoy, a daughter of Daniel and Emma (Marquardt) Bricker, who both who preceded her in death. On March 24, 1940, she married F. Clayton Wambsganss, who also preceded her in death on February 5, 1990.

Ruth was a homemaker and helped her husband extensively on their dairy farm. She enjoyed her flowers, gardening and her family.

She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Convoy, where in her younger years she taught Bible classes, sang in the church choir, played in the handbell choir, and was a member of the Dorcas Guild.

Survivors include two daughters, Janice Schaadt (Dean) Barry of Clark, Missouri, and Carolyn (Bob) Schumm of Convoy; and a daughter-in-law, Shirley Wambsganss of Munster, Indiana. Other survivors include 11 grandchildren, Julie Barry, Melinda Barry, Michael (Brenda) Schaadt, Diane (Phil) Murphy, Valerie (Jason) Schoeneberg, Jeff (Kellie) Barry, Scott (Cindy) Wambsganss, Michelle Erickson, Todd (Cyndi) Wambsganss, Troy (Jodi) Schumm, Karen (Matt) Ringwald; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; a sister- in-law, Arlene (Rager, Bricker, Rogers) Weigness of Convoy; and many nieces and nephews.

A son, Larry Clayton Wambsganss; one son-in-law, Herbert Schaadt; a grandson, Gregory Schumm; and one granddaughter-in-law, Dana Bryant Schaadt, also preceded her in death, as well as seven brothers and spouses, Arthur (Ruth) Bricker, Bernard (Cleo) Bricker, Otis (Francis) Bricker, Devon Bricker, Walter Bricker, Herman (Ruth) Bricker and Paul (Esther) Bricker; and four sisters, Melvie Bricker, Alvie Bricker, Anna (Tom) Pillars and Helen(Floyd) Bagley.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at Redeemer Lutheran Church south of Convoy, with Pastor Michael Saylor officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Visitation is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday prior to the service.

Preferred memorials: Redeemer Lutheran Church Special Gifts Fund or the Church Building Fund.

The family would like to express its appreciation for the loving care Ruth received at Vancrest of Convoy for the past nine years.

Condolences may be expressed at cowanfuneralhome.com.