Feb. 23, 1939 — Nov. 2, 2018

Ruthie Marie Leiting, 79, of Decatur, passed away Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at her home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel — 405 Center St., Dowagiac.

Ruthie was born Feb. 23, 1939, in South Bend, to the late George and Juanita (Kiggins) Crowell.

She married Robert Leiting on June 3, 1955, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ruthie was a homemaker; a member of the VFW Post 10704 in Cassopolis; she spent many years volunteering with the community action agency delivering commodities; she enjoyed fishing, playing cards, bingo, scratch off tickets, and the casino; but most of all she loved time with her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-randmother and great-great grandmother.

Ruthie is survived by daughters — Judy (Kevin) Renn, of Tuczon, Arizona and Brenda (David Rife) Shew, of Dowagiac, sons — Robert (Brenda McBride) Leiting, of Cassopolis, Bryan (Joann Burnes) Leiting, of Decatur, Michael (Denise Irving) Leiting, of Decatur, and Gary (Missy Demorrow) Leiting, of Dowagiac, 23 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson; a sister — Beverly Marks of Plymouth, Indiana and a brother — Bobby Crowell, of Arizona. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter — Carolyn, granddaughters – Stephanie and Princess, and a sister and a brother.

A Celebration of Life service will be at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Clark Chapel in Dowagiac with Pastor Boyd Saylor officiating. Burial will follow at Allen Cemetery. Visitation precedes the service from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leiting family. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at clarkchapel.com