Our Beloved Ruth

Ruth Hynson passed away in Center Point, Iowa on February 28, 2020. She had family at her side and the song “Jesus Loves Me” on her lips. She was 90 years young.

 

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Leon O. Hynson; her brothers, Wilfred (Bill), Bernard, and Paul Hallam; and her parents, Edna (nee Schaltenbrand) and Wilfred Hallam. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Mervine, and her sons and their partners: Leon (Amiee), Jonathan (Deborah), and David (Deb) Hynson. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Joshua, Caleb (Melissa), Rachel (Meg), Rebekah (Matthew), Danielle, Taylor (Alexandria), Trevor (Dianne), Dakota (Alan), Molly (James), and Levi; 9 great grandchildren; 22 nieces and nephews; and many other friends and family who will miss her dearly.

 

Her strength and resilience will also be remembered by her church family at Center Point United Methodist Church in IA; Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church in Michigan; and Countryside Fellowship Church in Dover, Pennsylvania.

 

Born in Munhall, PA on March 6, 1929, just 7 months before the October stock market crash, Ruth was consistently frugal (except when something was a “good investment”). Although she adored Russell Stover’s Dark Chocolate Coconut bites, she refused to buy them if they were more than 3 for $1.

 

Ruth was the first in her family to graduate from college. She attended Allentown Bible Institute, where she met and married Leon in 1951. Ruth also graduated with a Master of Library Science from the University of Iowa.

 

The granddaughter of English emigrants and great-granddaughter of Irish and German emigrants, Ruth herself rarely stopped moving. And she never seemed old. She lived in 7 different states; and no matter where she resided, she would often walk 2 miles a day until just before her passing. Ruth also renovated homes and worked in construction with her sons. She said she hoped to die in her work boots.

 

Ruth was an avid collector of old furniture, a lover of music and animals (especially dogs), a serious Boggle player, and an appreciator of QVC jewelry until she decided to save her money and watch Antiques Roadshow instead.

 

She was a good woman, a good mother. Ruth loved the Lord and her family and was deeply loved in return. After a long and happy life, it was her time to go home. While we mourn her departure from this world, we take comfort that she is in heaven with Leon. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

 

At Ruth’s request, there will be no funeral service. Her ashes will be spread on the grave of her husband, Leon, in East Berlin, PA. 

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We encourage you to share your memories of Ruth in the guestbook below or by sending a message to Leon P. Hynson, PO Box 116, Center Point, IA 52213.