- Date Of Birth: September 27, 1927
- Date Of Death: November 27, 2015
- State: Michigan
The angels took Ruth to Heaven on November 27, 2015, after a long journey with dementia to be in the loving arms of God and her husband Erwin.
Ruth was born on September 27, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan to Alfred C. and Johanna (Triffo) Huegel Sr. who immigrated from France and Austria respectively.
She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the 8th grade with her future husband before graduating from Monroe High School, Monroe, MI in 1945. She attended the University of Michigan for one year on a scholarship and then began working for the Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti.
Ruth was married to Erwin H. Charlesworth on June 25, 1949, who preceded her in death on July 18, 2008. They moved to Kalamazoo in 1961 and were devoted to each other for 59 years. She was employed as a department head at Gilmore’s before working for James River Corp. (formerly KVP Sutherland and Brown Company) from 1963-1987. She was elected Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1010 United Paperworkers International Union and was active in many union and community activities including serving as Community Services Chairman and was awarded the Walter Campbell Award. She was honored by the Kalamazoo Labor Council as an outstanding citizen. Ruth suffered a severe stroke in 1987 preventing her from further work and from which she had a partial recovery.
Ruth enjoyed traveling, jigsaw puzzles, games, movies, coin and stamp collecting, and genealogy. She was skilled at crocheting and sewing, making many of her own clothes. She was an avid bowler for many years winning both individual and team trophies with friends she met at James River; they were a special group who supported her through her stroke recovery. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and previously Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and the family is so thankful for the many visits, flowers, cards, and prayers provided by members of both congregations throughout the years especially after Erwin passed. Ruth was so proud of her family and enjoyed spending time with them.
Surviving are her daughter Cathy (Paul) Mejia of Kalamazoo, son Curtis (Ada) Charlesworth of Fishers, Indiana, two granddaughters Morgan Charlesworth, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Logan Charlesworth, Indianapolis, Indiana, she adored, little brother Alfred (Patricia) Huegel Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her beloved sister Marion Huegel Fischer.
