Mary Ruth Nelson

Ruth Nelson, 89, of East Moline, IL, died Monday, December 28, 2009, at Genesis Medical Center - Illini Campus, in Silvis, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Services will be Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 777 - 25th Avenue, East Moline, IL. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline, with Military Honors accorded by American Legion Post #246. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in East Moline. Mary Ruth Schroeppel was born in Ramsey, NJ, on October 8, 1920, to Harold and Bertha (Sharp) Schroeppel. On April 10, 1948, in Urbana, IL, she married Dr. Harmon L. Nelson, who preceded her in death on December 3, 1992. She was a graduate of Urbana High School, Eureka College, and the University of Illinois. She served in the U.S. Women's Army Corps during WWII, attaining the rank of Corporal. She was a secretary in the early years of her marriage, and a teacher when her children were in grade school. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in East Moline, Delta Zeta Sorority, and the Amvets Auxillary. She enjoyed needle crafts, gardening, exploring for wildflowers, and watching birds. Survivors include: two daughters: Stephanie (Timothy) Millen of Batavia, IL, and Susan (Michael) Plass of Mountain View, CA; and five grandchildren: Kathryn and Karen Plass, and Megan, Erin, and Kevin Millen. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Harold S. and Richard H. Schroeppel.