T. Ruth Allen

T. Ruth (Melvin) Allen, 92, of Centerville (St. Leonard’s), died Friday, January 17, 2003 in Huntsville, Alabama. She was born February 3, 1910 in Jasonville, Indiana, the daughter of David and Jessie (Gettles) Melvin. She graduated from Wellston (Ohio) High School in 1928, and from Otterbein College in 1932, with degrees in Public School Music and Violin. She received her Masters in Public School Music from The Ohio State University in 1940.
Ruth taught music in Jackson County; Wellston; Maple Heights; and Dayton, Ohio, and retired from teaching in 1976. She also taught private music lessons in piano and violin. Ruth was a member of Shiloh Church; Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s Sorority; and the College Women’s Club. She was very active in the St. Leonard’s Community. On April 8, 1944 at Wellston, Ohio, Ruth married Frederic Wuichet Allen, who preceded her in death in 1967. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Lauretta Mae (Melvin) Jones.

Survivors include her 2 children: daughter Amy Melvin (Allen) Chew and husband Dr. William Chew of Huntsville, Alabama; and son Andrew Wuichet Allen and wife Patsy (Moran) of Chesterfield, Missouri; 4 grandchildren: Kelly (Allen) Burdge, M.D., and husband Matt, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio; Kent Allen and wife Katie of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Jessica Allen Chew of Huntsville, Alabama; Geoffrey Hopkinson Chew of Tampa, Florida; niece, Johanna (Jones) Keiser and husband Bruce of Columbus, Ohio; and many, many friends.

The Funeral Service for Ruth M. Allen will be Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 10:30 am at the Chapel at St. Leonard, 8100 Clyo Rd., Centerville, Ohio, with Father Anthony Giannamore officiating. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, from 4 - 7 pm at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio The family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangement entrusted to the Bussard-Barnes-Vaniman Funeral Home, Eldorado, Ohio.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site at www.barnesfuneralhome.com