BLOOMINGTON
Ruth E. (Ackerman) Osborn-Crawford-Welch, age 98, passed away Wednesday morning, April 1, 2020 at Evergreen Village of Bloomington. She was a resident of Bloomington and a former resident of Brown County.
Ruth was born Feb. 16, 1922 in Vincennes, to her parents, the late Raymond Reynolds and Anna Ellen (Parsley) Ackerman. Ruth was a 1939 graduate of Washington High School and attended Indiana University where she received her certification in Electronics, as well as, became certified in Advanced Accounting and Tax Preparation.
She was employed with Mattox Accounting and Tampa Bay Cleaners Supply while residing in Tampa, FL. Ruth retired from Indiana Gear in Indianapolis where she had been employed for 16 years as an Inspector and Bookkeeper. She also worked for a few years with RCA in Indianapolis, but most will remember her as the owner and operator of ToRu’s Motel and Marathon in Bean Blossom from 1966 to 1975. Ruth was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Tampa, FL and Nashville; past member and past Royal Matron of the Amaranth Order of the Eastern Star; and a member and Past Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, both in Tampa, FL. She also served in the Grand and Supreme Chapters in these orders. Ruth was a former member of Fairfax Christian Church in Indianapolis.
Ruth returned to Brown County in 2008 and felt right at home in the small community of Bean Blossom. She was an avid reader and considered herself as an “Mushroomen Hunter.” Ruth made many trips to Michigan and Wisconsin for the thrill of the mushroom hunt. Ruth loved to be social and active and enjoyed dancing and bowling. She belonged to a variety of bowling leagues and often served as League Secretary. Ruth never wanted to be idle at any time of her life and could be found working puzzles, watching games shows to keep her mind sharp, crocheting and doing needlework. She was an excellent seamstress and made tuxedos and formals in her earlier years. Friends felt special whenever they received one of her cross-stitched Christmas cards in the mail. Ruth collected angels and dolls and at one time had more than 150 dolls.
Ruth is survived by her daughter in law, Sharon Osborn of Brown County; brother in law, Stanley Sullivan of Marshallville, GA; grandchildren, Bill Lee Osborn, Donald Raymond (Louisa) Osborn, Dana Rae (Ricky) Davis, Kara Dee (Wayne) Thieleman, Leah Dale Osborne; April (Larry) Scates, Adam Thomas Osborne and Shawna Osborne; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husbands: Thomas Osborn, George Crawford & Lawrence “Larry” Welch; sons: Harold Lee Osborne and George R. Osborn; siblings: Goldie Huff, Mildred Ackerman, Clara Catt, Dorothy Runner, Marjorie Sullivan, Henry Ackerman, Paul “Duke” Ackerman & Raymond Ackerman; two great grandchildren.
The Rev. Burt Brock will conduct a private family graveside service at Weeping Willow Cemetery in Bean Blossom. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Ruth to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Walker Dr. Ste. 1150 Chicago, IL 60601.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the Osborn-Crawford-Welch family at
www.meredith-clark.com. Information: (812) 597-4670
