Ruth Dunkelberger Eby

Ruth Dunkleberger (Crozier) Eby, of New Bloomfield, went home to her Lord Saturday August 13, 2022. She left this world peacefully and humbly, the same as she lived for 101 years. She was born October 11, 1920 on the family farm near Landisburg, a daughter of Charles and Annie Crozier. Ruth was married for 47 years to Eugene E. Eby, also born in Landisburg, and preceded her in death in 1989. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Harry and George Crozier, and sisters Mary (Van Marter), Hazel (Dum), Maude (Eby), Katherine (Kerr), Florence (Rice), twin sister Ann (Kerr) and Dorothy (Rice). She was truly the last survivor in her generation of both great Perry County families. She is survived by her sons Samuel W. (Leslie) of York, David E. (Lynn) Centennial CO, and Gary R. (Polly) of New Bloomfield. Also surviving are grandchildren Colin, Christian, Matthew, Rebecca, Joseph, and Mitchell Eby, Angela Heath, Ashley Dougherty, and Austin Rickrode. She also had fourteen great grand-children and a host of nephews and nieces. Ruth was a 1941 graduate of the Polyclinic School of Nursing, and practiced in that field prior to earning her Bachelor and Master Degrees that would take 19 years studying when time and family, which always came first, allowed. She was the last teacher that taught in a one room school house in this region when it closed in 1975. She continued teaching for a total of 27 years, and was a recognized pioneer in teaching individuals with developmental disabilities. She was instrumental in assisting her husband writing “Perry County Grist Mills” published in 1978. She was also the co-author of an unpublished work, “Legacy of Love”, the history of the Trinity German Reformed Church, New Bloomfield. She not only was an avid reader, but she wrote lengthy reviews that were revisited for constant inspiration. She was a passionate gardener, sharing its produce to all. She also got great satisfaction in making genealogy discoveries with The Perry Historians. She was very active in the lives of her extended families, always at the ready with her trusty camera. Her devoted church life started with baptism, confirmation and marriage at Mt. Zion Lutheran. Upon relocating to New Bloomfield, she became a faithful member and served on Consistory of Trinity United Church of Christ. For the last six years she was active with the spiritual leadership offered at Messiah Lifeways. The family invites her hosts of friends and family who were a part of her long prosperous life, for a time to visit and share with her family Monday August 22, 2022 at The Perry Mennonite Center, 350 Green Park Rd., Elliottsburg from 11:00AM until 1:00PM. Her celebration of life will take place immediately after, the Rev. Georgia Markey officiating. Interment will be at the New Bloomfield Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family sincerely thanks the entire staff at Messiah Lifeways that afforded her six wonderful years of a dignified quality of life. For those that would rather give a memorial, rather than a floral tribute, we suggest The Perry Historians, 763 Dix Hill Rd., New Bloomfield, PA 17068 or Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg PA 17110-9720.

Ruth Dunkelberger Eby

October 11, 1920 - August 13, 2022