Ruth Wilson St John
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Ruth Ilene Wilson St. John, former longtime resident of W. Lafayette, died in Cary, NC on March 15, 2021.
She was born September 10, 1924 near Wolcott, IN to John Alexander and Rosa Mae Morehead Wilson. Graduating from Wolcott HS (1942), her education pathway started at Manchester College and continued at Purdue University for a degree in Dietetics (1945). She completed a dietetic internship at IU Medical Center. Ruth married C. Virgil St. John in 1946. He preceded her in death on July 4, 2012. She worked as a chemist at Eli Lilly prior to moving to W. Lafayette where she and Virgil raised two daughters, Janet Amy (James), Cary, NC and Debra Mishler (Rick), Phoenix, AZ.
Although never employed as a dietitian, Ruth volunteered her time to help individuals understand the diets they were prescribed. Ruth held the position of Education Chairman of the Indiana Dietetic Association. She was an active member of Chapter AS, P.E.O. for more than 50 years. Ruth's church community was the First United Methodist Church. Over the years Ruth took multiple Purdue students under her wing providing support during the winter and room and board during summer terms. Along with her other gifts Ruth was known throughout her life for her smile, her dimples, her laugh, and her ability to put people at ease.
She and Virgil supported the John Purdue Club, Purdue President's Council, Purdue Convocations, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Civic Theatre, and Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette. Ruth and Virgil traveled the United States and the world exploring all seven continents.
Two sisters, Betty Schubert and Frances Bottom, and infant brother predeceased her. Along with her two daughters she is survived by her sister, Margaret Wilson, four grandchildren, David Amy (Kate), Kristen Maier (Shawn), Elizabeth Mishler Rosenstein (Benjamin), Benjamin Mishler and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Noah Maier.
For those wanting to make a memorial gift, please consider: Ruth Wilson St. John Scholarship in Dietetics, Purdue Foundation, Inc., 403 W. Wood St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 or First United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc., 1700 State Rd. 26 W, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
A service for the internment of ashes will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at BrownWynneCary.com