Ruth Garl
Ruth Garl
Ruth Garl
Ruth Garl

Obituary of Ruth Beatrice Garl

Ruth was born in Middletown, OH to Lou and Blanche Hartman. They eventually relocated to Reading, PA where Ruth attended Reading High School. As a young girl Ruth earned a few nicknames: Smiley and Muffie, the latter of which stayed with her through her adult years. Shortly before graduating High School, Ruth was introduced to Raymond (Ray) by one of her cousins, who just happened to be serving with Ray. While in the barracks at Camp Edwards, MA, Ruth's cousin threw down a picture of her on his bunk, to which Ray immediately replied, "I wanna meet that girl!" Ironically, Ruth and Ray had grown up just a block from one another in Reading, PA. After a brief courtship, the two were married on December 11, 1943 at which time she dedicated herself to being an Army wife. This began a 23 year career for Ruth and Ray of distinguished military service. Each time Ray and Ruth were separated by military service, Ray literally traveled everywhere and anywhere to pick up his letters from Muffie. On one such incident, Ray traversed a river by chain in Korea while battling a terrible case of dysentery hungry to read the latest news from home from his devoted wife. Muffie always maintained a steady stream of letters. Ruth and Ray had three sons: Don (born in Reading, PA), Bob (born in Ft. Bragg, NC), and Jamie (born in Ft. Benning, GA). Following Ray's return from WWII, the young couple was sent to Ft. Bragg, Ft. Benning, and Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Somewhere along the way, Ruth found the time to complete her High School education. Once back in the US, the Garls were sent to Ft Irwin, CA. While stationed at Ft. Irwin, Ruth began her own career of civil service where she completed additional studies to become a certified nursing aide. From Irwin, the family was sent to Ft. Ord, CA which was Ray's last duty assignment before retirement from the US Army. The young family purchased a home in Seaside. Ruth worked with newborns at the old Ft. Ord Hospital. She would eventually work in the Pediatric Clinic at Silas B. Hays Hospital retiring in 1993 after 33 years of exemplary civil service. To celebrate, the two went to one of her favorite places, Hawaii taking a cruise around the islands (this was their 4th trip back to the Aloha State). The retirees traveled whenever possible. In 1995, the couple bought a 40 foot RV and crossed the United States 3 times! They were especially excited to go back to their places of birth. Upon arrival in Middletown, Ruth boldly knocked on the door of her childhood home. Ray was shocked and surprised that his Muffie was so warmly welcomed in by the current owners. Ruth indulged in her creative hobbies, crocheting, painting, gardening, sewing, and raising teacup poodles. She was actively involved in various clubs, even while RVing. However, after 5 years of being on the road, the two had to settle down for health reasons, and decided on Las Vegas, NV. They would live there for 5 years before returning back to Seaside. Sadly, Ruth slowly began to give up on her hobbies because of her declining health. However, her strong and positive outlook was evident even while sick. It wasn't hard to see how she had earned her nickname of "Smiley". Her bright blue eyes lit up her face and contagiously made you smile back in return. She enjoyed simple pleasures like a berry smoothie or loving "kisses" from her puppies. She and Ray had just celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on December 11, 2013. They marked this special day with Ray stroking her hand. Ruth passed away peacefully at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula at 7:43 pm on December 31, 2013. She is survived by her loving husband, Ray, and two sons, Don and Jamie, all of the Monterey Peninsula and her brother Billy from Reading, PA. A viewing will be held at the Chapel in Mission Memorial Park, 1915 Ord Grove Avenue, Seaside, CA on January 8, 2014 from 12 noon-2:00 pm immediately followed by a graveside service. Friends and relatives are invited to a reception at the family home after the burial.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Garl, please visit Tribute Store

Viewing

JAN 8. 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Seaside Funeral Home at Mission Memorial Park 1915 Ord Grove Ave. Seaside, CA, US

Committal Service

JAN 8. 02:00 PM Mission Memorial Park and Seaside Funeral Home 1915 Ord Grove Ave Seaside, CA, US, 93955 info@seasidefunerals.com
Share Your Memory of
Ruth