1923
Ruth
2023
Ruth Eileen Lyles
September 23, 1923 — October 26, 2023
Born in Portsmouth, OH on September 23, 1923 to Frank and Edna (Schwamberger) Gemperline, Ruth Eileen Lyles passed away at her Lynden home on October 26, 2023 at the age of 100.
In Portsmouth, Ruth graduated from Holy Redeemer High School. After marrying Harold Lyles and having two children, Lynn Ann and Raymond Francis, they moved to Chicago, IL.
In Chicago, she worked as a bookkeeper for a major hospital for over 25 years. With the children grown and gone, she and Harold moved to Chesterton, IN where Ruth worked at the reference desk for Westchester Public Library, earning commendations for improving their systems and procedures. She was also on the board and was the treasurer of the Duneland Historical Society.
In 1992, they moved to Lynden, WA to be near their son, Raymond. Ruth immediately volunteered at the Lynden Community Center and at a local nursing home. She joined the board of directors of the Community Center and was treasurer for several years. In 2008, the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County nominated her for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She has a signed letter from President George W. Bush commending her on her service.
Despite working full time and raising two children, Ruth had time for other interests. She did lovely decorative embroidery. Her best work was a series of images of winter, spring, summer, and fall that have adorned the walls in her Lynden home for over 30 years. She was also an avid bell collector, which at one point included almost 800 bells. She joined the American Bell Association and was president of the local chapter in Indiana for several years. There was an extensive interview about her collection that was published in the Chesterton Post-Tribune in July 1988.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold Lyles in 1996 and her daughter Lynn Ann Bell in 2006. She is survived by her son Raymond Lyles, and her grandson James McAllister.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 8th at 12:30pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church (205 12th St. Lynden) followed by a graveside committal at Greenacres Memorial Park (5700 Northwest Dr. Ferndale). You may view the service via livestream by clicking this link: https://youtube.com/live/MsuTGl0el6M?feature=share
Memorial donations may be made to the Lynden Community Center.
In Portsmouth, Ruth graduated from Holy Redeemer High School. After marrying Harold Lyles and having two children, Lynn Ann and Raymond Francis, they moved to Chicago, IL.
In Chicago, she worked as a bookkeeper for a major hospital for over 25 years. With the children grown and gone, she and Harold moved to Chesterton, IN where Ruth worked at the reference desk for Westchester Public Library, earning commendations for improving their systems and procedures. She was also on the board and was the treasurer of the Duneland Historical Society.
In 1992, they moved to Lynden, WA to be near their son, Raymond. Ruth immediately volunteered at the Lynden Community Center and at a local nursing home. She joined the board of directors of the Community Center and was treasurer for several years. In 2008, the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County nominated her for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She has a signed letter from President George W. Bush commending her on her service.
Despite working full time and raising two children, Ruth had time for other interests. She did lovely decorative embroidery. Her best work was a series of images of winter, spring, summer, and fall that have adorned the walls in her Lynden home for over 30 years. She was also an avid bell collector, which at one point included almost 800 bells. She joined the American Bell Association and was president of the local chapter in Indiana for several years. There was an extensive interview about her collection that was published in the Chesterton Post-Tribune in July 1988.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold Lyles in 1996 and her daughter Lynn Ann Bell in 2006. She is survived by her son Raymond Lyles, and her grandson James McAllister.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 8th at 12:30pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church (205 12th St. Lynden) followed by a graveside committal at Greenacres Memorial Park (5700 Northwest Dr. Ferndale). You may view the service via livestream by clicking this link: https://youtube.com/live/MsuTGl0el6M?feature=share
Memorial donations may be made to the Lynden Community Center.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Eileen Lyles, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Starts at 12:30 pm (Pacific time)
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Graveside Committal
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Starts at 2:00 pm (Pacific time)
Greenacres Memorial Park
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