Ruth E Rigel

Ruth E. (Ritter) Rigel of Beaver Springs, PA passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at her home, surrounded by family.

She was born January 13, 1934 on the family farm north of Beavertown to Reed W. and Beulah E. (Bingaman) Ritter. In June of 1954, she married Paul F. Rigel who predeceased her in 2006.

She was also predeceased by a still-born sister and five siblings (spouses): Ned (Thelma); Frank (Joyce and Bertha); Reed Stanley (Laree); Lewis (Helen); and Goldie (Donald) Klinepeter.

Ruth was a dedicated homemaker and proud mother to her four children: Betsy Matten (Dean, deceased June 2025) of Evans, CO; Dr. Dean of Berkeley Heights, NJ; David (Dawn) of Orlando, FL; and Nancy (Charles) Ewing of Milton, DE; and seven grandchildren: Hannah Rigel of Cleveland, OH; Zachary (Katherine) Rigel and their children, Jenny, Audrey, and Waylon of Milton, DE; Rebekah Rigel of Orlando, FL; Jesse Rigel of McClure, PA; and Julia, Jacob, and Isaac Ewing of Milton, DE.

Ruth graduated from Beaver Vocational High School in 1951 and worked as a secretary at a finance company in Sunbury for three years before becoming her husband's secretary for 36 years in his Nationwide Insurance business. She loved doing any type of bookkeeping, typing, record keeping, and using a computer to complete all of these tasks. Over recent decades, she enjoyed using her personal computer to create greeting cards and her smart phone and tablet to stay connected to people and current events.

She was a member of Christ Church in Beaver Springs where she dedicated much of her time to various ministries throughout the decades, most recently serving as treasurer of the Building and Maintenance, Endowment, and Memorial Funds.

Ruth completed the Master Gardener program and loved growing a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, especially African violets, cacti, and succulents. For many years she served as a superintendent of the plant and floral exhibits at the Beaver Community Fair.

She was the last surviving founding member of the Mill Run Boat Club where she served as treasurer for more than 30 years. She and her family spent many fun-filled hours swimming, water skiing, fishing, and picnicking at this man-made lake near their home.

Ruth was a supporter of the Middlecreek Area Community YMCA and faithfully participated in Silver Sneakers for many years.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 10-11 am at the Kreamer Funeral Home, 130 S. Zechman St., Beavertown, followed by the funeral service at 11 am with Pastor David Meckley officiating.

A graveside service and burial will follow in Adamsburg Cemetery, Beaver Springs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Ruth's memory may be made to Christ Church Memorial Fund or the Middlecreek Area Community YMCA.

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