Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ruth Conrad

Aug. 6, 1926 - Jan. 4, 2002

South Bend Tribune 1/6/2002

Ruth Conrad, age 75, of Apple Road in Osceola, was released into heaven's glories on January 4, 2002 after a brief illness at St. Joseph Community Hospital in Mishawaka. Mrs. Conrad was born August 6, 1926 to Peter Franklin and Margaret Eleanor (Jackson) D'Arcy in Kingston, MI. On August 26, 1950 Ruth married Donald L. Conrad of Goshen, IN in Marlette, MI, who survives.

Also surviving are her 3 sons; Greg Conrad and his wife Kathie of Osceola, Joel Conrad and his wife Mona of Osceola, and Loren Conrad and his wife Alecia of Osceola; and one daughter, Chris Fisher and her husband Guy of Osceola. Also surviving are her sister Lois Brenneman of Mishawaka, two sister-in-laws, LeEtta (John) D'Arcy of Kingston MI and Betty (Lee) Caudell of Davison, MI; 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Alex, Laura, Kyle, Alyssa, Austin, Mallory, Danielle Conrad and Aaron, Bryce and Megan Fisher; and many nieces, great nephews, great nieces and cousins.

Preceding Mrs. Conrad in death were her parents and brothers, John and Lee D'Arcy and sister Eleanor D'Arcy.

Friends may call from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2002 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2002 with viewing one hour prior at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Conrad graduated from Marlette High School in Marlette, MI in 1945 and from Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN with a BA in Elementary Education in 1971. She served with her husband at four Missionary Church pastorates prior to this teaching career of thirty-five years at Bethel College. For many years she was the president of the Ladies Auxiliary and in charge of their well-known annual Arts and Crafts Show.

Mrs. Conrad was an active member of St. Mark Missionary Church since 1964. She taught Sunday School, directed many Vacation Bible Schools, sang in the choir, served as music coordinator, prayer chain coordinator, funeral dinner coordinator, and the Helping Hands ministry and baby shower coordinator. She also served as a deaconess, board member and a charter trustee for Missionary Church Archives and Historical Collection. She served as the Director and taught the Chattering Chipmunk Nursery School for eight ½ years and was a substitute teacher in PHM schools for many years. She also served as member of the Hubbard Hill Retirement Home Auxiliary. She and her husband were honored by Bethel College with the inaugural "Distinguished Parents" award in 1997.

She lived for others and was known for her love of her family and the meals she cooked for all 21 of them every Sunday. She will be greatly missed by many people for her servant heart, but by none more than her loving family. Memorial donation may be made to Don and Ruth Conrad Scholarship Fund at Bethel College, or St. Mark Missionary Church.