Ruth Eleanor Tower

POLAND – Ruth Eleanor Tower, 86, died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Blossom Nursing Center.
Ruth was born Dec. 22, 1929, in Toronto, Ohio, a daughter of the late James Emmett and Frances Reed Fleming. She made her home in Toronto until moving to Poland in 1953.
Ruth was a 1947 graduate of Toronto High School, and in 1952, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kent State University. She began her teaching career at Boardman Schools and after two years, was hired as a teacher at Struthers City Schools. Ruth taught kindergarten for Sexton Street, Highland Avenue and Lyon Platt Schools.
As a young mother, she took time off to raise her children, but later returned to teaching.
Ruth retired in 1983 after over 20 years of service. She touched many students’ lives throughout her teaching career and had left them with many fond memories of their very first year of school.
Ruth was a member of the O.E.A. and the N.E.O.A. After retirement, Ruth and her husband, Roger, moved to Sun City Center, Fla. There she worked as a receptionist for the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce. After 21 years in Florida, they returned to Poland to be with family and friends.
Ruth was a member of the Poland United Methodist Church, where she volunteered her time working the first Thursday of the month “Stuffed Chicken Dinner” sale. She enjoyed traveling and playing Bridge with her weekly card group, which later became the weekly Bridgeless lunch group.
Ruth’s husband of 54 years, Roger Lewis Tower, whom she married Feb. 20, 1953, died Sept. 30, 2007.
She leaves her daughter, Lynn (John) Nelson of Arlington, Va.; son, R. Keith “Chip” (Carol) Tower of Salem; grandchildren, Katrina, Samantha, Abrianna, and Caelah; step-grandchildren, Jill, Lorin, and Richie; and great-grandchild, Blake.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Poland United Methodist Church with Pastor Michael Grant officiating.
Interment will take place at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.
Friends and family will be received, Thursday, March 17, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St. Poland and Friday, March 18, 2016, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.
The family would like to request that donations be made in Ruth’s memory to the Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman-Poland Road, Poland, OH 44514.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences .