Ruth P. Bates, 77, of West Liberty, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, October 6, 2008, in her Green Hills Retirement Community home in West Liberty. She was born in Champaign County on September 3, 1931, a daughter of the late Robert Newell and Alta Harlena Barger Towler.

On October 23, 1949, she married William L. �Bill� Bates in West Liberty and he died September 16, 1993. She also was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Sarah Downs.

Survivors include a son, Dale William (Carol) Bates of Urbana, Ohio; two daughters, Barbara Ann (John) Villano of Norfolk, Virginia, and Jean (David) Jackson of Bellefontaine, Ohio; a brother, John (Barbara) Towler of Urbana; a sister, Mary (Ross) Yocom of Cable, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Lucy Persinger of St. Paris, Ohio and Audrey Bates of Bellefontaine; four grandchildren, Maj. Richard (Ann) Downs, currently serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq, Jonathan Downs of Norfolk, Virginia, and Michelle (Brian) Parsell and Matt Jackson, both of Bellefontaine; six great-grandchildren, Dominick, Samantha and Caleb Downs, and Raelyn, Brant and Brody Parsell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A homemaker, she retired after 20 years as a cook for West Liberty-Salem Schools. The 1949 graduate of Concord High School was a member of the Springhills Presbyterian Church where she was active with the Presbyterian Women. She was a member of the Champaign County Senior Center, a Green Hills Center volunteer and a volunteer for many other charitable organizations.

Since 1946, she has enjoyed writing to pen pals throughout the United States. She also enjoyed traveling around the U.S. and visiting with friends and greatly enjoyed her family and sharing in all the family activities.

Pastor Angie Schenck conducts the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 9, 2008, at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty, where calling hours are from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial is in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty.

Memorial contributions may be made to Green Hills Scholarship Fund and the West Liberty EMS.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com