Ruth Hillyard

Biography

Ruth Carolyn Hillyard, age 79 of Carmi, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro surrounded by her family. She was born August 26, 1934 in Carmi, the daughter of August Royal and Luella May (Wichman) Sell. She married Cletus Wesley Hillyard on September 23, 1956 and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2012.

Mrs. Hillyard was an active member of the Crossville United Methodist Church serving with Kidz Club and the White County Home Extension where she served as president for several years. She was a homemaker, a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had been employed as a secretary at Enfield High School, Housekeeping manager at Windsor Oaks, and a Hallmark Representative. In addition to her family, she loved to make crafts, quilt, crochet and garden.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Myra Hillyard of Carmi; two daughters and a son-in-law, Donna and Alan Lewin of Auburn, and Iva Hillyard of Carmi; and four grandchildren, Katie (Kyle) Rynkiewich, Kristie Hillyard, Kimberly Lewin, and Alyssa Lewin. Preceding her in death are her parents, her husband and two brothers, Alvin and Eugene Sell.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday June 11, 2014 at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi with Rev. Jon Carroll officiating. Burial will be in Kuykendall Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Crossville United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com