Former Celina resident Ruth E. Gartner, 85, of Berne, Ind., died at 2:52 p.m. Oct. 14, 2007, at Swiss Village Retirement Center, Berne.

She was born Aug. 23, 1922, in Ostrander, to Adam and Sally Hulver Cooper. On May 29, 1943, she married John Gartner, who died Oct. 7, 1985.

Surviving are three daughters, Barbara (Robert) Hayskar, Antioch, Ill., Patricia (Robert) McCabe, Geneva, Ind., and Nancy, La Salle, Ill.; a sister, Anne Bell, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Deceased are seven brothers and sisters.

She was a homemaker and worked for many years as a secretary at the University of Illinois. A graduate of Bellefontaine High School, she attended Trinity United Methodist Church, Berne.

Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Bellepoint United Methodist Church, the Rev. Anita Rediger officiating. Burial is at Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware.

Calling is 10 a.m. to noon and 7-8 p.m. Wednesday at Swiss Village, where a service will take place at 2 p.m.

Contributions can be made to Swiss Village.

Arrangements were handled by Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, Geneva, Ind.