Kenneth F. Ruth

Kenneth F. Ruth, 80, of Pekin passed away at 10:58 am Friday, January 15, 2010 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Ken was born on February 25, 1929 to Harold F. and Ruth A. (Brown) Ruth. He married Carol J. Hild on November 18, 1951 in Pekin, IL. She survives. Proceeding in death are his parents and one brother, Robert H. Ruth. Also surviving are two sons, James Ruth of Pekin and Steven (Julie) Ruth of Darien, IL. Two grandchildren, Michael and Sarah Ruth of Darien, IL. Ken was a member the First United Methodist Church and Pekin Rotary Club where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as chairman of the Pekin Mobile Diner (a Rotary project) for many years. He was a member of the Tazewell Retired Teachers Association and Illinois Teachers Retirement Association. Ken graduated from Tremont High School in 1947, received his degree in education from ISU in 1951 and his Masters degree from Bradley University in 1960. He taught in Delavan, IL from 1951-1953. From 1953 - 1965 he taught and coached at Edison Junior High School in Pekin. He coached the first state basketball championship team from Edison Jr. High in 1965. He was then Principal at Franklin School in Pekin from 1966 - 1969. In 1969 he was named Principal at Edison Jr. High and retired from that position in 1989. He served as President and Treasurer of the Tazewell County School Employees Credit Union for 22 years, retiring from that position in 1993. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Bradley Braves fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking.