Ruth Evelyn Smelser, 87, 503 N. Buckeye St., Celina, died at 10:05 p.m. Nov. 6, 2007, at her granddaughter's home in Celina.

She was born July 22, 1920, in Fort Recovery, to Arthur Ray and Edith M. Martz Runyon. On Feb. 22, 1941, she married Gordon C. Smelser, who died Jan. 24, 1995.

Surviving are three sons, Larry (Adele), Celina, Tim, Summerville, S.C., and Steve, Winchester, Ind.; a daughter, Susie (Jeff) Hoenie, Celina; a sister, Alice Brewer, Mesa, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a daughter, Connie Shaw, a daughter-in-law, Sherry; and three sisters, Margie Runyon, Millie Huelskamp and Dorothy Johnson.

She retired as a telephone operator for GTE of Celina. She was a graduate of Celina High School and a member of Celina First Church of God.

Services are 11 a.m. Friday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Richard Van Horn officiating. Burial is at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

Calling is 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church or State of the Heart Home Health and Hospice.