Ruth Ann Gerber, 83, Jackson Center, passed away at 9:29 p.m. Aug. 9, 2014, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

She was born in Shelby County on Jan. 8, 1931, to Paul and Marjorie Johnston Kerns. On Nov. 14, 1953, she married Wayne Gerber, who survives.

Also surviving are four children, Jill (Rudy) Ruppert, Jackson Center, Tim (Jalynn) Gerber, Jackson Center, Kay (Phil) Schumann, Celina, and Jukka Kaijalainen (foreign exchange student), Helsinki, Finland; eight grandchildren, Christina (Brandt) Mann, Erica (Wes) Jackson, Heather (Zac) Barhorst, Nicole (David) Neubauer, Stephanie (Justin) Waples, Shawn Smith, Kinsey Schumann and Chad Schumann; 11 great-grandchildren, Haley, Caitlyn and Ethan Barhorst, Alaina and Courtney Mann, Samantha, Madison and Elijah Neubauer, Reagan and Elias Jackson and Wyatt Waples; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased is a brother Richard Kerns.

A homemaker, she was very active in her community. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Circle 2, Sunday school and Bible school teacher. She had also volunteered for numerous organizations throughout her lifetime, including the Shelby County Blood Bank and Wilson Hospital Auxiliary for 30 years. She was a 33-year member and past president of the National Association of Conservation Auxiliary in the U.S., a 40-year member and past president of the Shelby County American Red Cross and a 50-year member of the election board. She served many years on the Soil and Water Auxiliary, where she was selected as a national winner of the distinguished service award.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at the Grace Lutheran Church, Jackson Center, Pastor Ken Hollis officiating. Burial will follow at Pearl Cemetery, Sidney.

Calling is 3-7 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday at the church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Eichholtz Daring and Sanford Funeral Home, Jackson Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 607 S. Main St., Jackson Center, OH, 45334, or to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800.

Condolences may be expressed at www.edsfh.com.