Ruby Hawthorne

Ruby Hawthorne

COSHOCTON- Ruby Gayle (Sproull) Hawthorne, 93, a resident of Windsorwood Place, died Tuesday September 11, 2012 at her residence.

Born July 4, 1919 in Tunnel Hill to the late Clyde and Anna Mary “Mamie” (Fox) Sproull, Ruby graduated from Warsaw High School in 1937 as valedictorian. She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1941. She taught several subjects, including English, Latin, and biology, at Tiverton, Conesville, and Union schools in Coshocton County, and at Ontario-Springfield Township High School in Richland County. She also helped her family operate Sproull Brothers General Store in Tunnel Hill, and served as Postmaster of the Tunnel Hill Post Office for 10 years.

After the store and post office closed, she received her master’s degree in guidance counseling from Ohio University and established a guidance program in the Coshocton County Schools. She then studied school psychology, first working as an intern in the Newark City Schools. After earning a certificate in school psychology from The Ohio State University in 1970, she obtained state licensure and initiated a psychology program in the Coshocton County Schools, where she served as a school psychologist until her retirement in 1982. She opened a private psychology practice in Warsaw in 1984, and in the early 1990s, served as coordinator for the Good Beginnings program in Coshocton County, assisting families of infants and small children with special needs.

 Ruby was a member of the former Smith Hill Union Methodist Church in Bedford Township. After its closure, she transferred her membership to The Presbyterian Church in Coshocton. Ruby had a lifelong love of learning. She enjoyed traveling and music – especially playing the piano and teaching piano lessons – and was a dedicated community volunteer and caregiver. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Ohio Retired Teachers Association.

Ruby married Forrest “Frosty” Hawthorne on June 23, 1945. He preceded her in death on Aug. 2, 1991. Also preceding her in death is a son, Mark Hawthorne; a daughter, Sue (Hawthorne) Norris; and a brother, Royce Sproull.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Juliet (Derek) Lacy and Christyn (Gavin) Kurtz, all of Dresden; three great-grandchildren, Sean, Keira, and Gwendolyn Lacy of Dresden; a son-in-law, David Norris of Coshocton; a sister-in-law, Marilyn (Mancel) Roahrig of Warsaw; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her Windsorwood Place family, including Debbie Thomas and Marcia Hardesty, special friends and cherished caregivers for the past 6 years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday Sept. 15, 2012 at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw, with Rev. Jonathan T. Carlisle officiating. Burial will follow in Smith Hill Union Cemetery.  Calling hours are from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and one hour prior to service time on Saturday at the funeral home.  www.fischerfuneralhome.com

 Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Category: Obituaries