Eileen F. Ruth

Eileen worked most of her life as a secretary in the legal system, starting out as a stenographer for the AAA legal department. In 1950, she and a friend moved to Washington DC where she worked with the Department of Navy Research Division, Negotiations Branch, then Contracts Division. On weekends she volunteered at the Walter Reed Hospital. While in DC, she met her husband Paul Ruth who was from Long Island, N.Y.

While in D.C. Eileen loved to watch the various military parades of special dignitaries and go to the USO military dances at Andrews Air Force Base. She loved to watch the changing of the guard at the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers”. One time she even snuck a peek into General MacArthur’s suite.

Eileen worked for Hudson Motor Car Co. as secretary to the purchasing agent for a short time. Then, she went to the law firm of Clark, Klein, Brucker & Waples as a legal secretary the next few years. Afterwards, she worked at Peter P Thurber & George E. Bushnell Jr., as legal secretary and the large firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone. Eileen then worked for the criminal lawyer Joseph Louisel and Wilber Brucker, Jr. until 1959.

Eileen and Paul were married at St. Ambrose Church in Grosse Pointe on May 30, 1953.

They lived in Detroit where they started their family and owned a boat livery, as they lived on the Fox Creek Canal. After the sudden, unexpected death of her husband, Paul, in 1967, Eileen remarried and moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Thompson, Mich., where she leased the Al-O-Ray Cafe. She later purchased and ran the West Shore Campers Market until it burned down. Eileen then purchased and ran Todd’s Motel in Manistique, Mich., while also returning to work in the legal system. She worked in the Probation and Parole department for the Michigan Department of Corrections until she retired in 1995, at the age of 65. Eileen sold the motel and retired to San Diego, CA, where her son Bernie lived. After living fifteen enjoyable years in California, she returned to Manistique in 2010.

Eileen loved dogs, enjoyed traveling, cooking, entertaining, dancing, bowling, cards, laughing, playing practical jokes, and eating chocolate. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, and friends.

Eileen is survived by sons, Bernard Ruth of San Diego, Calif., and James (Bridget) Ruth of Layton, Utah; daughters, Barbara (Craig) Reiter of Gulliver and Diane (Vern) Gage of Manistiquel grandchildren, Jessica Johnson, Christina Ruth, Haleigh Chagnon, Lacey Ruth, Josiah Ruth, and Sarah Ruth; step-grandchildren, Craig Reiter Jr., Darren Gage, and Leahanna Gage.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; brothers, Jerome Jr. Wellerritter and Joe Wellerritter; and sister, Mary Jeffers.

A celebration of life service will be help on Friday, July 3, at 2 p.m. a the Manistique Bible Church, 9143W US Highway 2, Manistique, MI 49854.

Burial will take place at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit with her husband Paul. Memorial contributions in Eileen’s name may be directed to the Schoolcraft County VFW Women’s Auxiliary.