BLOOMINGTON -- Ruth Allene Kletz, 77, of Bloomington died at 10:05 a.m. Friday (July 3, 2009) at home surrounded by her children.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church, Normal, with the Rev. Ralph Wingate, Jr. and Alan McGlaughlin officiating. Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church, Normal. Memorials may be made to Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, IL 61761, or OSF Hospice. Kibler-Smith Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Allene was born May 24, 1932, in Washington, the daughter of Alme James Cope and Lela Rae Thompson Cope. Ruth was baptized in her younger years. On Nov. 9, 1949, she married Irwin D. Kletz. He died July 14, 2007.

She had been employed by Eureka Williams and Funk Seeds and later became a homemaker.

Ruth is survived by son, Daniel (Donna) Kletz; daughter, Debra (Ron) Slone; daughter, Sandy (Mark) Holloway; son, Samuel (Sheila) Kletz; and daughter, Nancy (Jeff) Merritt; nine grandchildren, Robert Holloway; Christopher, Kelsey, Cassie and Eric Kletz; Lindy Holloway; Keri Merritt; Alena Slone; and Cory Merritt; two sisters, Norma (Tom) Collins and Marilyn (Joe) Evans; and one brother, Darrell (Margaret) Cope.

She was preceded in death by Irwin, her husband of 58 years; her parents; three brothers, Sam and James Cope and infant Paul Richard Cope; and one granddaughter, Brooke Kayleene Merritt.

Ruth was a caring person loved by all and will be missed. Her passion was her family and flower gardens. She enjoyed the fellowship of her church family and especially loved time with her children, grandchildren and extended family. She will be remembered for her beautiful flower beds and front porch visits with all her friends.

A special thanks to Mom's caregivers: Dr. Murphy, Pauline, Laura, Dr. Jeong and OSF Hospice. A very special thank you to Amanda Hummel for your loving and tender care to "Grandma" during the last weeks.