Ruth Berdina Gricks, 86, formerly of Reno, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, June 21, 2013 with her nieces by her side, at the Golden Living Center in Oil City.
Born December 20, 1926, in Dempseytown, she was the daughter of the late Forrest E. and Lotta Turner Hill.
Ruth attended Oakland Township High School and graduated from Oil City High School in 1944. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Clarion State College in 1948.
Ruth taught elementary school full time for 13 years. She taught in Oil City, Ashland School in Kossuth, the Rocky Grove School, and Sugar Creek Elementary school; also taught kindergarten one year in Hialeah, Florida.
Ruth was married in Rocky Grove on June 15, 1962, to Virgil Gricks, who preceded her in death on February 28, 1999.
Ruth and Virgil were devout Christians, who continually followed the call of the Lord, pastoring at churches and ministering to the sick and elderly. Ruth assisted her husband in the ministry for 23 years, serving as pianist or organist and Sunday School teacher at each of the churches, including Marienville Church of God, Everybody’s Mission, later known as the Community Chapel in Franklin, Kaneville Independent Chapel and the Uniontown Church in Franklin. In addition for 10 years, Ruth and Virgil conducted a Sunday afternoon service at the Grandview Nursing Home and regularly visited patients in local hospitals. In recent years, Ruth attended the Fox Street Church of God in Franklin.
Ruth was an accomplished pianist, who started playing in church and school, at a very young age. She continued to play regularly for churches until age 69. After moving to Golden Living Center, Ruth played for church services and sing-alongs at the home, until age 84.
Ruth loved photography and loved to travel. After retiring from full time ministry, Ruth and Virgil spent their summers at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Campgrounds in Mahaffey and Whitehall Church of God Campgrounds in Emlenton. They also spent winters in South Lake Wales, Florida.
Ruth was a delightful, sweet and doting aunt to her nieces and nephews, always sending a card for Christmas and birthdays. Surviving are 3 nieces Connie Boyer of Richmond, Virginia, Shelly Newsome of Reno, Pennsylvania, Suzanna Hill of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; three nephews Ronald Boyer of Kettering, Ohio, Donald Boyer of Severn, Maryland, and Vaughn Boyer of Tampa, Florida; numerous great nieces and nephews. Ruth is also survived by 3 stepchildren who were grown and left home before Ruth and Virgil were married; Ralph Gricks of Harker Height, Texas; David Gricks of Lebanon, Oregon and Ruth Christopher of South Bend, Indiana. Finally Ruth is survived by her loving and supportive neighbor and friend Nellie Haupt, who she called everyday.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a niece, Janice Brown; her sisters, Bernice Martino and Marilyn Boyer. Her brother Forrest Hill passed away one week ago, on June 13, 2013.
Friends will be received on Friday (June 28) from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. Friends may also call on Saturday (June 29) from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Fox Street Church of God, 229 Fox Street in Franklin (Rocky Grove). Funeral services will be held at the church on Saturday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Phil Conklin officiating.
Interment and graveside services will follow in Brandon Cemetery, Cranberry Township, Venango County.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God, 11 E 8th Street, Franklin, PA 16301; Fox Street Church of God, 229 Fox Street, Franklin, PA 16323; or to your favorite charity.
Condolences may be submitted online by visiting www.hilebest.com