Ruth Ruff Terhune (100) of Effingham

Ruth Ruff Terhune, 100, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at HSHS St. Anthony’s Hospital after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 30, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Effingham. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, with burial to follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Strasburg, Illinois. Masks and social distancing are requested in accordance with COVID guidelines. Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Ruth was born on February 6, 1921, the daughter of Ida (Rincker) and Louis F. Ruff in Strasburg, Illinois. She grew up on the family farm in rural Strasburg with her nine siblings. She married Troy V. Terhune on August 15, 1947 in Strasburg. He preceded her in death in 1993.

Ruth was an avid gardener and loved flowers and nature.  She was a gifted seamstress, crocheter, and award-winning quilter. An accomplished cook, she enjoyed preparing meals for her family and was especially known for her desserts and hot rolls. An avid reader, she often read a book in a day! Above all, she cherished time with friends and family.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Judith (Jerry) Shore of Germantown, Tennessee; two grandsons, Brian (Tiffany) Shore of Brentwood, Tennessee and Alan (Ellen) Shore of Collierville Tennessee and three great grandchildren, Brendan Shore and Bailey Shore of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Frazier Shore of Collierville, Tennessee; her sister, Melba Storm of Strasburg, Illinois, and sisters-in-law Maxine Ruff of Stewardson, Illinois and Oma Ruff of Altamont, Illinois.  She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents;  husband, Troy; sisters Celia (Merle) Buesking, Sylvia (Gaylord) Ulmer, Leona (Gilbert) Breitwisch, Grace (Merl) Kull, and brothers, Maurice (Frieda) Ruff, Calvin Ruff, Mervin Ruff, and Donald (Melba) Ruff.