Ruth I. Hanlon

Ruth I. Hanlon was born on October 23, 1920 in Plainville, Indiana to Daniel and Lula Clinton. She graduated from Plainville High School in 1938 and attended business school in Vincennes. In 1947 she married John D. Hanlon, who passed in 2009. They are the parents of Larry D. Hanlon and Cheryl L. DeHoff (Christopher), who survive, and Steven R. Hanlon, who passed in infancy. Brothers Orrell, Gilbert, Jay, Carl and Ray Clinton, and sisters Hazel Daugherty and Louise Theyssen have also left this world. Two sisters, Joy Cunningham and Dorothy Baldwin, survive. Ruth had many nieces, nephews and their spouses, and many dear friends, some who survive and some who have passed, who were a blessing to her during her life. During World War II, Ruth worked in the parachute factory in Washington Indiana. In 1949 John and Ruth moved to Indianapolis and she worked as a payroll clerk at RCA, retiring in 1981. Upon retirement, she started volunteering at Community Hospital East and did that for almost forty years. She was very much into being a good wife and mother. She helped Larry and Cheryl with homework and all kinds of projects, including song writing. She even loved them enough to discipline them when they did wrong. She was an immaculate housekeeper and she and John took pride in maintaining and improving their house on East 16th Street, though it was modest by today's standards, Ruth lived there for 69 years. Holiday meals in their home were a feast. She and John had a good retirement. They enjoyed traveling, which included an Alaskan cruise, a trip to the Holy Lands, train and bus tours, trips to Florida and spending more time with relatives. Ruth was deeply committed to her faith and was a member of Old Bethel United Methodist Church, which she and John joined in 1953. For 65+ years, she was a "regular" in worship and Sunday School and she rarely said no to a request for help with a project or a request to serve on a committee. In 2018, Ruth went to assisted living. But declining health and the isolation caused by the Covid pandemic took a toll and in 2021, the decline accelerated. She needed nursing home care and went to Westminster Village North and we are grateful for the care she received there. On July 23, 2022, Ruth's life took a dramatic turn for the better when she entered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour. She is now the best she's ever been and will remain so forever. She will always be loved and will be missed and remembered until we meet again. Visitation will take place at Flanner and Buchanan - Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN, on Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 3:00PM to 6:00PM. The funeral service will take place at Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 7995 E. 21st St. Indianapolis, IN on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 11:00AM, with visitation at the church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old Bethel United Methodist Church Traditional Choir Fund.