Ruth E. Richards

RICHARDS, Mrs. Ruth E.
Kalamazoo, MI Died Monday morning November 1, 2010. Ruth was born November 13, 1915 in Lansing, Michigan a daughter of W. Ives Wood and Zoe CollinsWood. Ruth graduated from Williamston High School and attended Michigan State University & Western Michigan University studying music education. While attending MSU, she met her husband, Robert E. Richards, of Kalamazoo and they were married in 1936 and resided in Kalamazoo. After the passing of her husband she moved to Woodside of Friendship Village. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She taught private piano lessons to youth in the Kalamazoo area for over 60 years. In addition Ruth was a member of Eastern Star & Daughters of the Nile, a long time member of the Westwood Garden Club and the Antiques Hobby club. She also volunteered as a Gray Lady with the American Red Cross. Ruth was a member of the Judson Baptist Church where she served as the pianist and choir director. She also was a member of First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo. Ruth loved her children, grand children, great grandchildren, gardening, art and traveling. She had a special love for her dogs and cats and riding her Appaloosa horse at Richwood farms. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents W. Ives Wood & Zoe Wood; her husband, Robert E. Richards; a daughter, Constance Hunt; a son-in-law, Richard Post; a grandson, Therron Richards; and two brothers, Robert and Jack Wood. Ruth is survived by 2 children, Charlotte Richards-Post of Otsego and Robert Diane Richards, Jr. Waxahachie, Texas; a son-in-law, David Diane Hunt of Kalamazoo; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held 11 o'clock Friday from the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Visitation will be 4-7pm Thursday. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice Program. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.