Ellen B. Ruff, 90, of St. Jacob, Ill., born January 7, 1927 in St. Jacob, Ill., passed away May 24, 2017 in Rosewood Care Center, Edwardsville, Ill.

Ellen attended Faires Country grade School and then graduated from St. Jacob High School in 1945. She attended Summers College of Commerce in East St. Louis, Ill. She retired in 1982 from Meat Cutters Union #534 in East St. Louis and Belleville, Ill., with 35 years of service. She was a lifelong member of St. Jacob United Methodist Church. Ellen was a member and past treasurer of Local #534 Retirees Club, American Legion Auxiliary #655 St. Jacob, Greater St. Louis Miniature Doll House Museum. She and Darwin loved to travel and collected doll furniture on most trips. She was active with the St. Jacob High School reunions and helped with the St. Jacob Village History Book and was always ready for a game of bingo. She always enjoyed spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Darwin R. Ruff, whom she married on April 16, 1948 and who passed away July 13, 1997; parents Emery A. and Emma B., nee Heisel, Ellis; brother Richard E. Ellis; sister, Melva C. Rehg; nieces, Janet Rehg; nephews, Harold Rehg Jr., John McCarey and Tom Preston.

Surviving are her nieces and nephews, Janet McCarey of St. Jacob, Ill., Richard E. Ellis of Long Mont, CO, Betty (Charlie) Johnson of Edwardsville, Ill., Gerald "Butch" Rehg of Trenton, Ill., Wayne (Mary) Ellis of Highland, Ill., Germayn Rehg of St. Jacob, Ill., Janet (Don) Nine, Carol Preston, Paul Newman, Donnie Newman, Terry (Harry) Ernst, Betty (Gail) Cary, Butch (Diane) Snyder, Barb (Al) Heppermann, Donna (Mike) Markovich, Dennis (Robin) Schneider, Vickie (Jim) Harris and Bobby (Christina) Schneider; many great-nieces and great-nephews, great-greatnieces and great-greatnephews; and many friends.

Memorials may be made to Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, Ill., St. Jacob United Methodist Church or Vitas Hospice. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com.

Friends may visit from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2017, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home, St. Jacob, Ill.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Aebischer~Richeson Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennis Price and Rev. Clint Benesh officiating. Interment will be in Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, Ill.

AEBISCHER~RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, St. Jacob, Ill.