M. Ruth Royse

M. Ruth (Sherman)(Wiltfong) Royse age 88 of Elk Falls, Kansas died Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the Golden Living Center in Neodesha. Ruth was born February 22, 1922 in Elk Falls, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Byron and Lucy May (Small) Osborn. After high school, Ruth attended Emporia State Teacherâ€™s College in 1939. In 1940 Ruth started teaching grades 1-8 at Lone Star School, just north of Oak Valley. In 1961 Ruth received her Bachelorâ€™s Degree in Education from Southwestern College. She continued to teach in Elk County and in Severy. In 1974, Ruth started teaching Special Education classes; in 1977 she received her M.S. in Psychology at Emporia State, and continued teaching special education classes until retirement in 1984. After retirement, Ruth returned to teaching in specialty areas of education; she helped students receive their G.E.D, tutoring, and Psychology courses for Independence Community College. Ruth was a member of the Elk Falls United Methodist Church since 1941, Alpha Tau Delta Kappa Gamma, Retired Teachers Association and Order of Eastern Star receiving her 25 year pin. In 1946 Ruth married Henry Charles Sherman in Elk Falls, they were married until his death in 1961. In 1963 she married Wesley I. Wiltfong and they were married until his death in 1978. In 1982 she married George A. Royse in Springfield, Colorado they were married for 20 years until his death in 2002. Ruth is survived by: Daughter: Lyneva Bryan and husband Steve of Herington, Kansas Four Step Children: Ethel Holloway of Elkhart, Indiana Mildred Beiter of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma Jean Miller of Leeâ€™s Summit, Missouri Norma Jean Graves of Independence, Kansas Brother: Neil Osborn and wife Phyllis of Elk Falls, Kansas 11 Grandchildren: Jeremy Bryan of Orlando, Florida, Jennifer Guffey of Goddard, Kansas, Justin Bryan of Salina, Kansas, Rick Graves and Valorie Allen both of Owasso, Oklahoma, Amanda Molen of Fishers, Indiana, Laura Holloway of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sandra Cook of Longmont, Colorado, Kristi Payne of Tyler, Texas, Kathy Graves and Travis Miller both of Leeâ€™s Summit, Missouri. 11 Great Grandchildren Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, three husbands, two sons: Virgil Eli Sherman and Charles Franklin Sherman and sister Neva Barnaby. Funeral services will be held at 10.00 a.m., Thursday August 12, 2010 at the Longton United Methodist church with Pastor Dena Allison officiating. Interment will follow at the Elk Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday August 11, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. at Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard. The family suggests memorial contribution to the Longton City Library and can be mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Zimmerman Funeral Home 206 E. Washington, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, Kansas 67349

M. Ruth Royse

February 22, 1922 - August 7, 2010