Ruth Lorraine Lewis

Ruth Lorraine Lewis (nee Pruitt) of Brush Fork Road, Guilford, Indiana, passed away on January 4, 2026, in Milan, Indiana, at the age of 93. She was born on January 9, 1932, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Alma (Thacker) and Rufford Pruitt.

Following high school graduation, Ruth was accepted into nursing school but decided to postpone her studies to marry and start a family with Arthur Lewis on September 22, 1953. While caring for her family, Ruth also devoted her time as a foster parent for children in need of services on their farm in Dearborn County, Indiana.

As her children grew older, she resumed her dream to become a nurse and graduated as an LPN in 1968 and RN in 1973. Nine years later she earned her Bachelor’s in Human Services at the College of Mount St. Joseph, and in 1986 completed her Master’s in Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. Ruth worked at several Cincinnati affiliated hospitals and later served as a lecturer to undergraduate students at Purdue University. She concluded her career as Health Services Coordinator at Clovernook Center for the Blind.

A devout Christian, Ruth was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in Harrison, Ohio. Her hobbies included playing piano, gardening, and collecting old first edition books. Ruth especially loved to travel, including trips abroad to Germany, Paris, and the Philippines. When she was no longer able to work, she enjoyed living several years in Florida close to friends with her beloved miniature poodles, Liza and Chelsea.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Alma and Rufford Pruitt; sisters Esther Bittner and Helen Lewis; brothers John Pruitt and Stephen Pruitt; daughter Deborah Nash; and grandson Andrew Lewis.

Ruth is survived by her children: Linda (Terry) Gellert and Steven (Tracy) Lewis; six grandchildren: Susan (Eric) Ketcham, Lucy (Tommy) Misetic, and Grant (Abby) Gellert; Joe (Tia) Nash and Christina (Nick) Wood, and Adam Lewis; and eleven great grandchildren: Alex and Jackson Ketcham; Gabe and Charlotte Misetic; Ivy, Jaslyn, Carmella, Harley, Joe Jr., and Colton Nash; and Ivy Lewis.

Visitation and funeral services will be on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m., with Pastor Mark Garrett officiating, all at Jackman Hensley Funeral Home, 215 E Broadway Street, Harrison, OH 45030. A burial will follow at the Miamitown Cemetery at 6670 State Rt. 128, Miamitown, Ohio. A reception for family and close friends will be held afterward in Bright, Indiana.