Ruth Mary (Jerome) Service

RUTH MARY (JEROME) SERVICE passed away on April 3, 2019. She was born January 6, 1930, in Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Carl Griffis Jerome and Clara (Bratton) Jerome. She lived in New Lyme Township from the fall of 1930 until December 1955. Ruth Mary graduated from New Lyme Deming High School in 1948, and from The Ohio State University in 1952, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She taught in Ashtabula County Schools from the fall of 1952 until the spring of 1966. On December 30, 1955, she married Harry William (Bill) Service in Andover, Ohio. They made their permanent residence in Andover Township since that date. Bill preceded her in death on January 3, 2006. In 1966, Ruth Mary stopped teaching to help her husband in his farming operation and a small fertilizer business. In 1980 they went into partnership with Al Lehmkuhl and Jim Kreglow of Bellevue, Ohio, to purchase an existing fertilizer plant in Andover, Ohio. This operation was called Andover Crop Service, Inc. Ruth Mary was the office manager of this business until January 1, 1988. Bill and Ruth Mary sold their share to their partners in December 1986. Following the sale of their business, Bill and Ruth Mary were able to travel and spent winters in Estero, Florida, from 1991 through 2005. Her interests included genealogy, playing the piano and the organ, reading and crossword puzzles. She also volunteered to read to children in the Pymatuning Valley Schools. Ruth Mary was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Andover, a Board member of the Andover Public Library, and a former Trustee of the Andover Foundation, Inc. Ruth Mary is survived by Nephews, Mark Jerome of Charlotte, NC, and Linc Jerome of Lenox Township, OH; Nieces, Karan (Jerome) Cook of Deltona, FL, Lori Jerome of Jefferson, OH, and Kelly Jerome of Butler, PA; Sisters-in-law, Geraldine Jerome of Lenox Township, OH, and Marjorie Service Fenton of Greenville, PA; Husband’s nieces, Gail (Fenton) Cochoff of Hudson, OH, and Donna (Fenton) Neff of Quarryville, PA. She is also survived by eleven great nieces and nephews and six great-great nieces and nephews; and her good friends and care-givers, Charles and Diane Rose. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Allan C. Jerome. Memorial contributions may be made to The Andover Public Library, PO Box 1210, Andover,OH 44003, Andover United Methodist Church, PO Box 207,Andover,OH 44003, Ashtabula County 4-H Foundation, PO Box 445, Jefferson,OH 44047, or the Ashtabula County Agricultural Scholarship Fund at the Ashtabula County Extension Office, 39 Wall St., Jefferson,OH 44047. Per Ruth Mary’s request, a private service will be held for the family. Burial of her cremated remains will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery in Andover. Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service, 134 Prospect St.,Andover,OH, handled arrangements. Those wishing to share a fond memory or condolence may visit www.baumgardnerfuneralhomes.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Maple Grove Cemetery

Andover OH