Ruth M. Longenecker

Ruth M. Longenecker, age 98 of Elizabethtown, PA passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Landis Homes, Lititz, PA.  Ruth was born to the late Henry R Longenecker and Fannie M Longenecker on October 4, 1918.  She was predeceased by her brother, Ray M Longenecker, and sister-in-law, Ruth M Longenecker.  Surviving are her nieces, Marian L Beaman, Janice L Caverly both of Jacksonville, Florida, Jean L Fairfield of North Wales, PA and a nephew, Mark M Longenecker, Elizabethtown, PA.

Ruth graduated from Elizabethtown High School at age 16 in 1935, and earned a teaching certificate from Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, VA in 1937.  In 1941, she received a Bachelor’s Degree from Elizabethtown College. Ruth received a master's degree in education from the University of PA at Millersville in 1969. She continued education at the Lancaster School of Business.

The instructor said at the finish of her studies at the Lancaster Business School, "Now you can keep your father's books."  And so, she did. Ruth was the business accountant for Longenecker Farm Supply in Rheems. The company was owned by her father and brother. For 8 years, she served as the West Donegal Township tax collector.

She taught 8 grades in several country schools for 10 years before finishing her 35-year teaching career at Rheems Elementary School as both teacher & principal.  Ruth retired from teaching in 1972. She retired a second time in 1995 from 23 years as a clerk at Zarfoss Hardware store in Elizabethtown.

When Ruth was 16, she began teaching Sunday School at the new Marietta Mission and later as an adult Sunday School teacher at Bossler Mennonite church for many years.  She also taught summer Vacation Bible School at Marietta, Elizabethtown, Steelton and Bossler churches.  Ruth served 35 years as the Bossler church treasurer and was a charter member of the Stewardship Committee.  Ruth also served as the Publicity Secretary for Camp Hebron, Halifax, PA.  She created lovely bulletin board displays for residents at The Mennonite Home and volunteered as cashier at MCC International Gift & Thrift Shop in Mt. Joy.

Ruth began her partnership with Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service in 1975, offering her home as a haven for numerous refugees including Phuong Ho Le who remained in her home for 6 years until she married.  Ruth won the "Salt of the Earth" award in 1996 and was "an absolute godsend to our resettlement efforts."

She loved to garden and up until age 90 could be seen on top a riding mower cutting her large lawn. On many occasions people stopped by to chat & admire her lovely flower gardens.  She played the piano and especially enjoyed playing for residents at the Rheems Nursing Home.

From the book of Proverbs, "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy," was her life's guiding light.  Ruth will be dearly missed by all her family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at Bossler Mennonite church on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00 AM. 

The family will be greeting relatives and friends from 9:45 to 11:00 before the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bossler Mennonite Church at 2021 Bossler Road, Elizabethtown, PA  17022.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Elizabethtown.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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