Evelyn Hoffman

Evelyn Ruth Hoffman, 89, of Slippery Rock and formerly of Mercer, where she resided from 1953 until 2009, passed away Dec. 26, 2021, at Grove Manor Nursing Home in Grove City, following a five-month illness.

She was born in the Village of London, Springfield Township, Mercer County, on Feb. 29, 1932, to Oren Martin Ryhal and Pearl Amelia Winger Ryhal.

She married Dewey Hoffman Jr. on June 6, 1953, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 30, 2006.

Ruth was an executive secretary, beginning her career at the Mercer County Farm Bureau from 1949 until 1957. She later worked for Cooper Cameron, formerly Cooper-Bessemer, in Grove City for 38 years until 1995. She then moved to work at Smith Funeral Home in Slippery Rock from 2007 until present.

She was an outstanding secretary/administrator, and was always positive and uplifting with a quick laugh. She was a great companion, full of joy, and will be missed by many.

Ruth enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramics, sewing, doing family research and, most of all, spending time with her beloved companion Shih Tzu, KeKe.

Ruth grew up in Springfield Township and attended grade school at the Kansas School. She graduated from Grove City High School in 1949, which included her attendance at the vo-tech in Mercer.

She was a past worth matron and life member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 180 in Mercer. She was a past regent of the General Hugh Mercer Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; past president of the Cooper-Bessemer Women's Club; and a life member of the Mercer County Historical Society.

She was a member of the Mercer Baptist Church.

Survivors include three nephews, Paul E. McKee of Laurel, Md., Terry L. Fabry and wife, Melanie, of Erie, and Robert Fabry of Wesley, Pa.; and a niece, Helen Errera, and husband, Ron, of Milner, Ga.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant son, Alan Wade Hoffman; half-sister, Helen Weber; and half-brother, Gomer L. (Buzz) Butler.

HOFFMAN — Family and friends of Evelyn Ruth Hoffman, who died Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, will be received from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at 4 p.m. Sunday at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. James Lewis of Butler presiding.

Interment will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Mercer Citizens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Mercer Baptist Church; the charity of the donor's choice; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.