Ruth Elizabeth Bricker, 89, 8761 Kuck Road, Celina, died at 2:04 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

She was born April 22, 1919, in Wharton, to Rev. Samuel F. and Flossie D. Biggs Bauders. On Aug.. 8, 1947, she married Russell E. "Gene" Bricker, who died April 22, 2003.

Surviving are two sons, Richard A. (Beth), Celina, and James E. (Connie), Oxford; a sister, Mary Brown, Bryan; a sister-in-law, Marjorie Bricker, Mendon; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Deceased are a daughter-in-law, Sylvia Wenning Bricker; a brother, Rev. Paul Bauders; a sister, Helen Hammer; and a granddaughter.

She retired from the former Mendon-Union schools, where she was an elementary teacher, and also had taught elementary school at Willshire, Neptune and St. Marys. She was a member of Hamilton-Bethel United Methodist Church, Mendon, and was a graduate of Findlay College.

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Lynn Huffman officiating. Burial is at Mendon Cemetery.

Calling is 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. today and Saturday one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to The Cancer Association of Mercer County or The American Cancer Society.

Condolences can be sent to dick.hellwarth@verizonmail.com.