Ruth Helen Lucas was born July 31, 1925, the daughter of Roy and Anna (nee Fischer) Winters of Newark, New Jersey.

She was baptized in the name of the Triune God at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Newark, on November 8, 1925. Her godparents were Thomas and Katherine Colemna. Ruth attended St. James Parish School and St. James High School. She met her future husband, Harvey John Lucas, Jr., when her brother-in-law, Ed Mras, brought Harvey to Newark for a visit while on leave from the Coast Guard. Ruth and Harvey were married on August 12, 1944, at First Presbyterian Church, Verona, New Jersey, by the Rev. Charles Richard. The witnesses were Muriel Winters and Elwood Winters.

Ruth was employed by the Edison Company in Newark as a comptometer operator. Following her marriage, she worked at the USO in Norfolk, Virginia, where Harvey served in the Coast Guard. Following Harvey's discharge in December of 1945, they lived briefly with his mother, Janet, in Akron, Ohio before moving into their home in nearby Norton. She resided in Norton from February of 1946 through September of 2015 until being cared for by her son, Karl and daughter-in-law, Terri at their home in Akron. In April 2016 she went to Traverse City, Michigan, to visit with her son, Bruce and daughter-in-law Krista.

Ruth was a loving, faithful wife and mother. She had a tremendous sense of humor and compassion that helped her to endure many surgeries and health problems. She was a homemaker for 70 years and made her home a pleasant place to visit for her sons and their wives, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

She loved fishing, shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, and watching the birds on her birdfeeders. She will be dearly missed by her neighbors Mary and Kenny, Pat and Jeff, Tim, and her friend Ruth.

Ruth experienced a sudden decline in health in early June. She was received into eternal life by her Lord Jesus Christ early in the morning of Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at the home of her son, Bruce, in Traverse City. Her sons and daughters-in-law were all with her during the last days of her life.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, on September 3, 1981; an infant daughter, Deborah Ann, on July 21, 1951; brothers Elwood, Roy, and her twin brother, Robert; and sisters Rita, Muriel O'Neill and Mildred Mras. She is survived by her sons, Wade (Joyce), Bruce (Krista), and Karl (Terri); grandchildren, Joshua (Cheryl) Lucas, Jessica Lucas, Carl (Faith) Lucas, John (Anna) Lucas, Frank (Shelby) Lucas, and Christian Lucas; and great-grandchildren Mason Fern, Renee Lucas, Madison Lucas, Kylee Lucas, and Esther Lucas.

We invite family and friends to join us for a graveside service at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Romig Rd., Akron. We also invite family and friends to share memories and a light dinner at 5 p.m. at the Lehnar Community Center, 35 South River Rd., Munroe Falls.