Ruth Ann Trueblood (65) of Effingham

Ruth Ann Trueblood, 65, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024 at home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Order of the Eastern Star service on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project-Road Home Program, Effingham Clinic. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Ruth Ann was born on April 13, 1959, in Effingham, IL, the daughter of Eugene and Thelma (Fouty) Freeland. She married Terry Trueblood on October 3, 1987, and he survives. Ruth Ann graduated from Newton High School in 1977, lettering in track. She continued her education at Lincoln Trail College and Olney Central College, earning a degree in Nursing. As a Registered Nurse, Ruth Ann had a focus in trauma working as a Trauma Nurse Specialist. She also worked at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, in the burn unit. Locally she worked as an E.R. Nurse at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and was the Clinical Care Coordinator for Lincolnland Visiting Nurses. She even taught First Aid/CPR at Lake Land College. Ruth Ann loved children, especially little ones. She found great joy in teaching the “Teddy Bear Clinic” and playing Mrs. Claus. Ruth Ann also loved music, especially Jimmy Buffett, and saying Ruth Ann was a Green Bay Packers fan, would be an understatement. Ruth Ann was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge Auxiliary, as the current vice president. In 2022, she was awarded the Chardy Lieb Memorial Award from the IL FOP State Lodge.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband Terry Trueblood of Effingham; son, J.R. (Daniel) Trueblood of Effingham; mother-in-law, Betty Trueblood of Effingham; mother-in-law, Carolyn Ray; and brother, David (Marie) Freeland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, LeAnn Marie Trueblood; father-in-law, Robert Trueblood; and father-in-law, William Brooks.