Obituary for Ruth Irene Spiker (Friend)
Ruth Irene Spiker, 97, of McHenry, MD, peacefully joined her Heavenly Father on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Born October 4, 1923, in Sang Run, she was the daughter of the late Wesley McClelland and Frances Maude (Friend) Friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Vernon Spiker and one grandchild, James Vernon Spiker.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Adrian Spiker and companion, Darlene Beachley, Sarasota, FL, Joseph Spiker and wife, Christine and William Spiker and wife, Claudia, all of McHenry, MD; three daughters, Naomi Savage and husband, Clyde, Clear Spring, MD, Mary Mickle and husband, Denny, McHenry, MD and Martha Spiker-Teal and husband, Howard, Rehoboth, DE; 16 grandchildren, Elizabeth Holcomb, Adrian Spiker, Ashley Spiker, Abigail Spiker, Jeffrey Savage, Kimberly Savage, Joseph Savage, Jeremy Savage, Joseph Spiker, Katherine Smith, Joshua Spiker, Adam Spiker, Wesley Spiker, Jonathan Mickle, Nathan Mickle and Maria Mickle;26 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ruth’s career began at Sterling Processing Plant in Oakland, MD, as an employee to clean and process chickens. After several years, and after the death of her husband, Ralph, she was trained as a meat inspector for the USDA and held that position for 29 years. She traveled many miles in MD, PA and WV working long hours as a dedicated and loyal employee. She retired at 75 years and always regretted her “early” retirement.
Ruth attended, and was an active member of Sang Run Christian Center for 27 years. She was a recent member and trustee of Creekside Prayer Chapel. She loved attending church and loved to tell everyone to pray, pray, pray. When she was at home, she watched her “TV preachers” and dared anyone to say anything derogatory about them!
Ruth enjoyed company at her home. Family and friends would listen to her stories about her childhood in the 1920’s and how different things were then. She would often talk about her experiences of her job at the meat processing plant or her travels to and from work and the many things that happened over the years when she traveled long distances to work and back. Guests always had to have a “bite to eat” before she would let them out the door to go home.
Ruth was strong in her faith and strong in her life. She was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be missed tremendously. But we will see her again in heaven someday.
A private graveside service was held on August 31, 2021 at Sang Run Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating her life on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Creekside Prayer Chapel (5212 Sang Run Road, McHenry, MD 21541) with Pastor Michael Saturday officiating.
Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The Spiker family wishes to thank Hospice of Garrett County for their compassionate care of their mother. Also, a special thank you to Bootsie, Tami and Michele for their daily loving care that was so needed and appreciated.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Hospice of Garrett County, P.O. Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.newmanfuneralhomes.com.
Born October 4, 1923, in Sang Run, she was the daughter of the late Wesley McClelland and Frances Maude (Friend) Friend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Vernon Spiker and one grandchild, James Vernon Spiker.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Adrian Spiker and companion, Darlene Beachley, Sarasota, FL, Joseph Spiker and wife, Christine and William Spiker and wife, Claudia, all of McHenry, MD; three daughters, Naomi Savage and husband, Clyde, Clear Spring, MD, Mary Mickle and husband, Denny, McHenry, MD and Martha Spiker-Teal and husband, Howard, Rehoboth, DE; 16 grandchildren, Elizabeth Holcomb, Adrian Spiker, Ashley Spiker, Abigail Spiker, Jeffrey Savage, Kimberly Savage, Joseph Savage, Jeremy Savage, Joseph Spiker, Katherine Smith, Joshua Spiker, Adam Spiker, Wesley Spiker, Jonathan Mickle, Nathan Mickle and Maria Mickle;26 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ruth’s career began at Sterling Processing Plant in Oakland, MD, as an employee to clean and process chickens. After several years, and after the death of her husband, Ralph, she was trained as a meat inspector for the USDA and held that position for 29 years. She traveled many miles in MD, PA and WV working long hours as a dedicated and loyal employee. She retired at 75 years and always regretted her “early” retirement.
Ruth attended, and was an active member of Sang Run Christian Center for 27 years. She was a recent member and trustee of Creekside Prayer Chapel. She loved attending church and loved to tell everyone to pray, pray, pray. When she was at home, she watched her “TV preachers” and dared anyone to say anything derogatory about them!
Ruth enjoyed company at her home. Family and friends would listen to her stories about her childhood in the 1920’s and how different things were then. She would often talk about her experiences of her job at the meat processing plant or her travels to and from work and the many things that happened over the years when she traveled long distances to work and back. Guests always had to have a “bite to eat” before she would let them out the door to go home.
Ruth was strong in her faith and strong in her life. She was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be missed tremendously. But we will see her again in heaven someday.
A private graveside service was held on August 31, 2021 at Sang Run Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service celebrating her life on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Creekside Prayer Chapel (5212 Sang Run Road, McHenry, MD 21541) with Pastor Michael Saturday officiating.
Newman Funeral Homes, P.A., 179 Miller St., Grantsville, MD, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The Spiker family wishes to thank Hospice of Garrett County for their compassionate care of their mother. Also, a special thank you to Bootsie, Tami and Michele for their daily loving care that was so needed and appreciated.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Hospice of Garrett County, P.O. Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.newmanfuneralhomes.com.