The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
July 1, 1931
Page 5
Column 6MRS. RUDDLE DEAD
Mrs. Mary Ruddle, of Middle Creek died at one o’clock this Wednesday morning of apoplexy, after a short illness, aged 79 years. She was a sister of Mrs. Martha Maynard.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
July 15, 1931
Page 7
Column 1Mrs. Mary Ruddle.
In the passing early Wednesday morning of Mrs. Mary Ellen Ruddle at the home of her brother, Sylvester Riggens, the Oak Grove community southeast of Carthage, lost one of their pioneer and life-long residents.
Mrs. Ruddle while in declining health for several years, had only been confined to her bed since Friday and her passing was a shock to many friends who knew and loved this good woman.
The wishes of Mrs. Ruddle were carried out in the short, simple, yet impressive funeral services held at the S. S. Riggens home at 2 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. She had requested, if a service was held at all, that it be very simple. Rev. J. A. Leonard of St. Marys, read a scripture and offered prayer. Three hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Garden," and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," were rendered very effectively by Mrs. Sam Brown and Miss Clara Reed with Mrs. Walter Cloud accompanying on the organ. Six grandsons of the deceased acted as casket bearers. The floral offerings were very lovely. Interment was in the Belknap cemetery.
Mary Ellen Riggens, daughter of Jesse and Sally A. Riggens, was born near Oak Grove, April 30, 1852, and died July 1, 1931, at the age of 79 years, 2 months and 1 day.
She grew to womanhood in the same vicinity of her birth, where she was united in marriage to William Thomas Ruddle in November, 1873.
They built their house on her father's farm and at the death of her parents, pioneers of Oak Grove community, they moved to the home place to live with her brother and continued to reside there until her death. One son, Jesse H., came to bless this union.
Her parents, two brothers, four sisters and husband preceded her in death, leaving the son, one brother, Sylvester Riggens of Oak Grove, one sister, Mrs. Martha Maynard of Carthage, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, and other relatives and friends survive.
She united with the church of Christ of Oak Grove in her girlhood, under the ministry of Elder Griffin of Carthage, continuing in the faith until death took her from the scenes of earth to the world beyond.
