Ruth Jane (Barnes) Bath

Ruth Jane (Barnes) Bath of Kalamazoo, MI and formerly of Danville, IL




Ruth, age 90, died Sunday morning, August 25, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo after a brief illness and with her loving daughter and son-in-law at her side.

Ruth, the daughter of Oscar Arthur and Dona Mae (Creamer) Barnes, was born on June 2, 1923 in Rantoul, IL and grew up on a farm in Rossville, IL, later moving to Danville where her family relocated.

On August 31, 1940 in Danville, IL, Ruth married the love of her life, Theobault A. "Theo" Bath and he preceded her in death on March 28, 2013 after 72+ years of marriage. Surviving is her daughter, Jeannie (Bill) Brandenberger of Kalamazoo and formerly of Danville, IL; her two grandsons, Jason Michael (Susan
Nicole) Starr of Venice, CA, and Aaron Thomas (Amy Elizabeth) Starr of Phoenix, AZ; brother, Earl (Sandy) Barnes of Sun City AZ; sister-in-law Julia Vehlewald of Danville; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was an avid golfer until age 75; she and Theo won many couple's tournaments including one whose prize was a week-long golf vacation at Hilton Head. She also enjoyed playing cards, watching golf and cheering for the Chicago Cubs and the Fighting Illini basketball. Ruth loved spending time with her family and shopping with her daughter. She was a homemaker and had a special and loving bond with her grandsons. She was a member of Central Christian Church.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Larry T. Bath in April of 1960; two sisters, Irene and Cora Rebecca, and a brother, Charles Barnes who passed away in July of 2013 in Arizona.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on Thursday, August 29th at 1:00 p.m. (CST) at the Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 N. Vermillion Street, Danville with the Rev. Hank Anderson, Pastor of the Central Christian Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Danville. Friends will be received from Noon until service time on Thursday at the Sunset Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ruth's honor may be directed to the Central Christian Church, 1101 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, IL 61832. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland (MI) Chapel (269-629-6022) is in charge of all the arrangements.