Ruth Olive Eagleman

A Lying-in state for Ruth Olive Eagleman, 81, Lawrence, KS will be held from 10:00 ~ 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Please be aware that due to COVID-19 and safety precautions, we are asking her loved ones to please respect and comply with social distancing and must wear a mask.

A second Lying-in state will be held from 9:00 ~ 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Arsulowicz Brother’s Mortuary in Grand Rapids, MI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial starting at 10:00 am. also at the mortuary in Grand Rapids, MI. Ruth will be buried at Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Cemetery in Harbor Springs, MI. Ruth passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Restwell in Oskaloosa, KS.

Ruth was born on January 31, 1939 in Harbor Springs, MI, the daughter of Samson and Cecilia (Nenagos) Leo. She is a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa. Her family relocated to Grand Rapids, MI where she attended St. Alphonsus School and graduated from Catholic Central High School. The strength of her faith is one of her most memorable traits. She was a true Grand Rapids girl, who spoke often of her childhood friends and parochial school experiences.

She traveled to California after her high school graduation to live and work in a brand-new place. She met Chester Eagleman, while he was in the Navy, in Los Angeles, CA during a church social. They married on June 10, 1961 in Denver, CO. They were married for 59 years.

Ruth worked her entire life. Her occupations included key-punch operator for a truck-line company, cashier at Daane’s and Meijer’s grocery stores, and a year-long stint as a school bus driver for the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She was an employee of General Motors in Grand Rapids and Coopersville, MI until her retirement. She was a life-long advocate for Indian People and was active in the formation of the Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council.

Ruth enjoyed playing softball as an adult with her older sister, pitching for teams that her brother coached. She was an avid bowler, bowling for leagues in Michigan, Billings, MT and in Virginia. Her husband and her youngest daughter enjoyed traveling to and participating in BIA bowling tournaments. She was well-known in the powwow world as “Ruby”, traveling all over the country and parts of Canada with her daughters. She made many friends throughout her travels, and was known for her smile, her laugh, and her adventurous spirit. A favorite memory of her family is when she jumped into a women’s golden age fancy shawl and jingle dress contest in Jacksonville, FL in 1994 and placed 3rd. Her daughters brought her out into the arena as a traditional dancer in 2003.

Ruth is survived by oldest son, Chester Eagleman, Jr., Grand Rapids, MI, her daughters; Shelley (Joseph) Eagleman-Bointy, Lawrence, KS and Sharon Eagleman, Lawrence, KS, She is also survived by her brother, Norman J. Leo, sister, Rosalee StarChief, five grandchildren; Shelby, Sara, Gordon, Samantha, Joey, and great-grandchildren Jayden and Ni’vy. Her adoptive daughters are Allison Davenport, Tama, IA, Makyla King, Lawrence, KS, and adoptive son Elwood Ott, Lawrence, KS. Ruth is survived by a host of special friends; Loretta Antoine, Cedar Rapids, MI, Kaye Dyer, Aurora, CO, Sylvia Chingwa, Denver, CO, Marty Wysocki, Grand Rapids, MI, Elaine Sanford, Grand Rapids, MI, and Yvonne Shields, Mesa, AZ.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

 

 

 

8 Condolences

  1. Joe Vitt on September 18, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    Shelly and family,

    Your mom fought the good fight and made a significant impact in the lives of your family and friends.

    I’m sorry for your loss.



  2. Rita Rials on September 18, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Shelley,
    Sending prayers for you and your family during this difficult time. May you find comfort and peace in the arms of God and in the precious memories of your mother.



  3. Donna Lang on September 18, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    Sharon, Shelley and Family …
    I got to know your mom through her love for Gordon and her family. It was such an honor to know such a kind and loving soul. Thinking of your family so hard right now. Much love from the Lang household to yours … we hold your mother in the highest regard.

    With much love and respect …
    Donna, Brian and Andrew Lang



  4. JOSEPH COLLINS on September 19, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Shelley, Sharon and Family,
    I send my love, thoughts and prayers to you all in your time of mourning. May you all be blessed with healing, love and comfort.
    Love, ❤????
    Joey Collins



  5. Ronald Miller on September 19, 2020 at 8:37 am

    We are so sorry for your lose. Our prayers are with you Chester and your
    whole family.

    Ron & Jan Miller



  6. Mary Davidson on September 21, 2020 at 7:36 am

    Shelly,
    Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Take great care, Mary



  7. Nellie Goodwill on September 22, 2020 at 10:24 pm

    Shelly and Sharon….all the grandkids…
    We are so sorry for your loss. Your mother was such an awesome, friendly, and kind woman. We are very honored to have known such a beautiful soul. She gave you life and love …and we thank her for that because our paths eventually crossed which allowed us to become friends.
    Be strong
    Byron and Nellie Goodwill



  8. Joseph Knitter neighbor on September 24, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    (Four prayers here)
    Once again, sadly, I come to post
    these prayers over the loss
    of those deeply loved
    by their family and friends.
    I put this together during
    a time of personal grief…
    *
    O Father who has ordered
    this wondrous world to exist,
    who knows all things
    in earth and heaven;
    Fill our hearts with trust in You,
    that by night and by day,
    at all times and in all seasons,
    we may without fear commit
    those who are dear to us
    to Your never-failing love,
    for this life and the life to come.
    Amen
    *
    Let us all remember,
    we each have our individual walk
    through life with our Father in Heaven.
    Father, we are praying with everything
    we can bring to this moment
    that with Your unfailng love
    You have gathered up this precious
    soul to be with You in Your Heavenly
    Home for all eternity! Amen
    *
    This prayer is for the family and friends.
    *
    The family and friends are in pain
    and anguish for their loss of their loved one.
    Unto God‘s gracious mercy
    and protection we commit you.
    The Lord bless you and keep you.
    The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
    and be gracious unto you.
    The Lord comfort you in your emotional pain,
    The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
    and give you peace and holy rest,
    both now and for evermore.
    In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
    *
    We all have a call
    To be loved
    and to love
    To be shown mercy
    and to show mercy
    To be forgiven
    and to forgive
    To receive hope
    and to offer hope
    To know joy
    and share joy
    To feel peace
    and bring peace
    To be made whole
    and offer wholeness
    We are all God’s children
    no matter what our age
    when the Lord decides
    the time is right……
    We each will have a call….
    Listen…
    Listen…
    Do you hear?
    The world is hushed…
    The Lord is speaking…
    “Come, take my hand
    my child…..follow me.”
    *
    I pray that those who take
    their final breath here
    on earth are welcomed
    into the Lords Heavenly
    home and live forever
    with those gone before.
    God bless the family
    and friends who mourn
    the loss of their loved
    one..may Jesus ease
    their pain with His
    loving kindness.
    *
    Thank You, Father God,
    for loving us.
    In Jesus Name we pray,
    Amen



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