Ruth E. (Smith) Crutcher-Beckwith

Ruth E. Crutcher-Beckwith, age 86 of Baltimore passed away December 7th, 2022 at Fairfield Medical Center.  She was born in Athens Co. on October 13, 1936.  She was a 1954 Chauncey-Dover graduate who served her country during the Korean War in the US Airforce.  She retired as a rural letter carrier, was a member of the Baltimore VFW Auxiliary, Past Commander of the American Legion of Millersport, a past Baltimore Village Council member, member of the Basil Garden Club, National Rural Letter Carriers Association, Buckeye Boys State, and devoted 35 plus years as the founder of the Baltimore Food Pantry.  Ruth's amazing personality, deep hearted commitment, and values will be forever cherished by her family, friends, and the surrounding community. No one person will know all the lives that Ruth has touched.  She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her loving  husband of 20 years, Will Beckwith; children, Harold (Linn) Crutcher, Rose (John) Gilmer, John (Jonda) Crutcher, Lyn (Speedy) Tucker, Scott Beckwith, Richard (Karen) Crutcher, Charles (Chrissy) Crutcher, and James (Andrea) Crutcher; son-in-law, Stephen Wilson; grandchildren, Lori (Josh) Batzloff, Wendy (Dan Kanalley) Crutcher, Sheri (Tony) Freitas, Timothy Wilson, Mindee (Jeff) Wheeler, Josh (Melissa) Wilson, Chad (Bonnie) Sims, Amanda Kennedy, Zack (Kristin) Kennedy, Michael (Sara) Sotak, Andy Anders, Lauren Thomas, Sam Anders, Lydia (David) Robinson, Laura (James) Keller, Kayla Crutcher, Christopher Hollon, Tonya (Jose) Navarro, Alyssa Kirby, Storie (Benjie) Colopy, and Charidy Smith;  41 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, William Crutcher; daughter, Mary Wilson, son, William Lester Crutcher; grandchild, Billy Crutcher; and siblings, Phil Smith and Ernestine Young.
A funeral Service will take place on Wednesday at 10:30AM at the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home, 207 S. Main St. Baltimore, officiated by Rev. Dr. Eva Marie Wolfe.   Burial with military honors will follow the service at Union Evangelical Cemetery by the Baltimore Veteran Detail.  Family and friends may visit at the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2PM until 4PM and 6PM until 8PM.  The Baltimore VFW Auxiliary will have a service at the funeral home at 7:45PM.  Donations in Ruth's name can be made to either the Baltimore Food Pantry, 1128 W. Washington St. Baltimore, OH 43105 or to New Zion United Methodist Church, 10991 Snyder Church Rd. Baltimore, OH 43105.  Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com

A Nice mention from her son Ric Crutcher:

If you haven’t heard, let me tell you.
Today we lost a legend. My mother passed away this morning.
Legend status? Absolutely.
Raised 9 kids, the last two on her own.
Rural letter carrier for many years. Used to deliver cards and letters addressed only to “Grandma”, because she knew who grandma was.
Rural letter carrier of the year in 1999 (just in time to retire from the post office).
School administration intimidator. Just mention that mom wouldn’t be happy or that she would be in to talk to them (trust me, I was suspended twice (both in school because they were afraid of mom)) and things got handled.
Champion cookie maker. Every holiday, every year (until junior high) I had freshly made butter cookies with icing appropriate to the holiday. For my classmates, and the office staff too. EACH AND EVERY ONE. For all us kids, then into the grandkids, then on to the great grandkids.
Cheesecake baker, which I am told sold at auctions for lots of money. I got to enjoy them for free, bonus of being one of the nine.
Patriot. Legion commander, District Commander, and VFW Auxiliary member. Brought the fish fry to Millersport American Legion after they closed the Sweet Corn Festival booths. All of her trumpet playing sons played taps at military funerals, because mom said we should do that.
Community activist. Started a food pantry after a Christmas food drive, because (in her words) those people are probably hungry all year, not just at Christmas. When it outgrew the location, she had picked, she moved it to a different bigger location, and when it outgrew that she moved it again. It finally landed it the current location and it appears that is where it’s going to stay.
Mayoral candidate. I wish she would have won, so I could add Mayor to her list of accomplishments.
These are just some of the many things she accomplished in her life. In her own words, “I have run hard for my entire life, and I am getting tired”.
She never seemed to know a stranger, and was always willing to help someone who needed help. She instilled that in all her kids, who passed it along to their kids, whom I hope are passing it along to their kids.
So, today we lost a legend. I was lucky enough to call her mom. The world will be a little dimmer now, and maybe the heavens will be a little brighter because she is surely in heaven.
Rest easy mom, we can try to handle it from here, not as well as you would, but we can try to make you proud of us.