Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – January 30, 1997

Ruth L. Thiel

Oct. 30, 1919 - Jan. 28, 1997

Mrs. Ruth L. Thiel, 77, residing on West 6th Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, in her residence.

Mrs. Thiel was born to Cecil F. and Letha (Grimes) Kesner on Oct. 30, 1919, in South Bend, Ind., and remained a lifelong area resident. She was a former employee of Osco Drugs, and retired in 1990 from the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office.

In 1940, in South Bend, she married George E. Thiel, who preceded her in death on July 17, 1981.

She is survived by a daughter, Sharon E. Ball of Granger, Ind.; two sons, George B. Thiel of Wheaton, Ill., and Paul A. Thiel of Elkhart, Ind.; and by a grandson, Gordon E. ''Geb'' Ball, II, of South Bend.

Mrs. Thiel was a member of First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, and attended River Park United Methodist Church in South Bend.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, in River Park United Methodist Church, Rev. Merrill Hartman and Rev. Donald Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today in Hollis-Orvis-Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Mishawaka; to River Park United Methodist Church, South Bend; to Hospice of St. Joseph County; or to the charity of donor's choice.