- Date Of Birth: August 16, 1932
- Date Of Death: May 27, 2011
- State: Indiana
Ruth E. (Purviance) McCollum, 78, formerly of Marion, passed away on May 27, 2011, in Golden Living Center.
She was born in Fairmount on Aug. 16, 1932, to the late Dr. Benjamin T. and Roxie (James) Purviance. She married Melvin P. (Red) McCollum on Aug. 20, 1949, in Marion. Melvin preceded her in death on Feb. 18, 2011. Ruth was a devoted wife and mother, employed in various clerical positions for The Owens Illinois Glass Co., RCA, Sears-Service Dept., and the Northern Indiana Conference Office of the United Methodist Church.
Volunteer work was an important part of Ruth’s life; her children’s scouting, working as a reading tutor, Meals on Wheels, and helping to feed the homeless. Ruth was a member of First United Methodist Church, Marion, and St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, Tucson. Melvin and Ruth spent many years of their retirement in Tucson, Ariz., moving back to Indiana in 2006.
Ruth’s great joys in life were reading and her grandchildren. Although the grandchildren were scattered across the country, Melvin and Ruth did their best to make sure the cousins spent time together each year. Ruth was the best “Mamaw” a child could have, teaching the grandchildren through various activities of life, love, and patience. While there will be no more special desserts for each grandchild or marathon Uno games, we are thankful for the many memories and lessons learned from “Mamaw”. Ruth also taught her family that with books, you could be anywhere in the world. That thought became reality as Melvin and Ruth were able to enjoy trips themselves. Together they toured Europe, after her excursion to England and Scotland, vacationed in many states including Hawaii, and spent countless hours fishing for bluegill, salmon and walleye closer to home. They also worked together preparing canned goods from the garden, making jams and jellies to share with friends and family.
Survivors include her three children, Susan R. (Joseph) Saunders, Hilliard, Ohio; John W. (Carol) McCollum, San Antonio; Patrice (Scott) Woody, Elkhart; grandchildren Carolyn E. Bentley, Lawton, Okla.; Sean D. (Danielle) Saunders, Hamilton, Ohio, Robert B. Saunders, Hilliard, Ohio, Bradley D. (Kimberly) McCollum, San Antonio, Bryan D. McCollum, San Antonio, Chris A. (Annette Shaw) Woody, Marion, David A. Woody, Elkhart, Jason A. Woody, Elkhart, two great-grandchildren; Lily Bentley and Connor Bentley, both of Lawton, Okla., special niece Gail A.(Williams) Waak, LaFontaine; her other nieces and nephews and their families.
Ruth was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Lois and Harold Williams and brother Gordon “Dean” Purviance.
