Born: July 2, 1917

Died: Dec. 23, 2012

Ruth Elaine Ross, 95, of South 15th Street in Niles, died on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at the residence of her daughter in Portage, Ind., following an extended illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate assistance of the Porter County Visiting Nurse Association during Ruth’s final weeks.

She was born on July 2, 1917, in Dugger, Ind., to James Ernest and Hilda Nellie (Richardson) Ferguson, and was graduated from Dugger High School. She has lived in Niles since 1941, coming from Musselshell, Mont. She was a licensed practical nurse, serving for many years at the Saint Joseph Hospital in South Bend (now Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka).

Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church in Niles and a member of the Niles Chapter No. 332, Order of the Eastern Star. She and her husband had traveled extensively throughout the United States. She enjoyed working in her yard, and antiques.

On May 13, 1936, in Dugger she married Joseph N. Ross, who preceded her in death on March 13, 2001. She was also preceded in death by their son, Joseph Leon Ross, who died in 1954; a granddaughter, Sarah Nekvasil, who died Oct. 15, 1993; a great-grandson, Matthew Nekvasil; and Ruth’s brother, Winfred Ferguson.

Surviving family includes her daughters, Ruth Elizabeth Ross of Chicago, Ill., and Norma (and William) Poznanski, of Portage; grandchildren, Rebecca Needham,

Jennifer (and Dennis) Morgan, Nathan (and Angie) Stickney, Eric (and Kristin) Poznanski, Todd (and Roberta) Poznanski and Daniel (and Christine) Poznanski. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Anna Sophia Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, David Nekvasil, Joel Poznanski, Abigail Stickney, Jonathan Stickney, Tia Poznanski, Madison Poznanski, Derek Poznanski, Allison Poznanski and Mandy Poznanski; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Ruth Elaine Ross will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Niles with Rev. Jim Wing of the church officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Eastern Star Rites at 6:30 p.m. by Niles Chapter 332. Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to the First Baptist Church, Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com