Ruth Helen Wise Custead

December 08, 2012 Last Updated: December 08, 2012 11:01 AM Death Notice

Ruth Helen Wise Custead, 89, of Cranberry Township, formerly of Butler, beloved mother of Douglas C. (Bonnie) Custead and Wendy Ellen (John) Clem, passed away at 11:55 a.m. Tuesday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice in Butler.

Ruth was born Nov. 26, 1922, in Butler to the late Allie Brooks Wise and Hazel Elora Kerr Wise. She was the wife of the late John Wendell Custead.

She lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Cranberry Township. Previously she made her home on East Brady Street, Butler.

Ruth was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother to Kimberly (Scott) Madden, Kurtis Custead, Christie Clem (Bill Kovach), Lisa (Cory) Schooley, Brett (Meghan) Unks, Ryan Unks, Amelia Unks and Isabel Unks. She also is survived by her sister-in-law, Doris Gegogeine; and several nieces and nephews.

For many years, Ruth and her husband, John, operated “Custead Amusements” from their home on East Brady Street. She had an amazing knowledge of “oldies” and sold the used 45 rpm records from their business in the back room of their house.

She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, watching old movies, drawing, sewing and reading. She was very proud of her English heritage and celebrated many traditional high teas in her home with family and friends. She was an active member of the Crimson Chapeau Cuties Red Hat Society in Butler. She attended the St. Peter's Reformed Church in Zelienople.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

CUSTEAD — Friends of Ruth Helen Wise Custead, who passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 8 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. James R. Bertoti, pastor of the St. Peter’s Reformed Church, officiating.Burial will be in the Greenlawn Burial Estates.Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Reformed Church, 314-320 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, PA 16063, or to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.