Ruth Mary Wheeler

A Life Well Lived

Ruth Mary Wheeler passed into the arms of Jesus on May 27, 2025. She was born 102 years earlier on March 14th, 1923, to Edward and Anna (Shanesy) Wheeler of Belvidere, IL (married in 1912). Ruth was predeceased by her infant brother Luke and her older sister Betty, with whom she was always extremely close.

A defining part of Ruth’s childhood was the bond she shared with her cousins. She and Betty spent holidays and summers with their Evanston cousins, Suzanne and Betts Shanesy—forming a sisterhood that lasted a lifetime. As adults, these four enjoyed regular reunions in the three states (IL, ME, CA) where they had settled.

Ruth attended Catholic school as a child and then Belvidere High School, graduating at the age of 17 in the Spring of 1940. After two years at Rockford College in Belvidere, training as a future teacher, she transferred to Michigan State as a Home Economics major where she graduated with her BS in 1945. At that time the School of Home Economics was housed in a large building on campus with approximately 500 students and its enrollment outpaced that of the School of Business and the School of Engineering. It was a popular major then, and today the field continues under the name Family and Consumer Sciences.

Ruth secured her first teaching position at Bellevue, Michigan High School 1945-1948. Ruth kept impeccable records: the original teaching contract shows her salary at $1900/$158.33 per month. (Enough she once said, for her to get a shared apartment but not a car!) She moved next to Belding High School 1948-1950, and then Bay City Central High School 1951-1952, both also in Michigan. During this time Ruth decided to go back to earn an advanced degree. She graduated with her Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State in 1951. At age 29, with six years’ experience and a graduate degree, she earned a teaching position at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) where she taught from 1952-1983. While there, Ruth also earned her certification in child development.

An accomplished and beloved teacher and administrator, Ruth served as Department Chair at ETHS and was also active in the American Home Economics Association and the National Education Association, serving in multiple capacities over the years including as local president of each. She was devoted to her students and was known as an innovator in curriculum development.

She was also an encourager of everyone around her. One of her past students from the 1960’s who spoke at Ruth’s retirement party in 1983 shared this: Miss Wheeler’s firm, fair, friendly and gentle manner convinced me that I had self-worth and dignity. She showed unconditional, positive regard for students, recognizing and accentuating the positive and minimizing the negative. She had the insight and foresight to see past superficialities of the present and see us as the successes we could become. Ruth never lost that quality–she always looked for the best in others. Even in her last two years as her eyesight and hearing and mobility were all failing and eventually she could no longer walk, she said she understood her purpose as being someone who could uplift and be kind to each person with whom she interacted. That spirit always shined bright.

Ruth was resilient in many respects. As but one example, she had always been a bit frightened by swimming. So, at age 60 she took lessons and began to swim (with a small group who became her fast friends) six mornings a week for almost 20 years! Add that to her focus on reading, completing the daily Tribune crosswords, and healthy eating (except for that sweet tooth of hers!) and her longevity seems logical.

Ruth loved her 20 years living at 408 Trinity Court, where she served on several Westminster Place committees, was a “Views” internal cable TV interviewer, and volunteered in the library. She made many friends, welcomed new residents, enjoyed the cocktail hour with her neighbors in the 400’s, and she loved to entertain.

Ruth Wheeler was a woman of deep Catholic faith. Throughout her life she attended Mass every Sunday, many years at St Athanasius, well into her 90’s until COVID made that impossible. She also then attended and helped others to benefit from the Sunday afternoon Services in Elliot Chapel. Her abiding, unshakable faith in the goodness of God shaped her life. She was unfailingly positive, gracious, and full of thanksgiving. She knew her body was giving out, but many, many people were enriched by her animating spirit of kindness and love.

There will be a visitation Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at St. John Henry Newman Parish at St. Athanasius Church in Evanston, IL. A Mass will begin at 10:00 A.M. Private interment in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Belvidere, IL. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.belviderefh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to either of the following, both special to Ruth:

·       Geneva Foundation of Presbyterian Homes

Employee Appreciation Fund for Westminster Place

8707 Skokie Blvd Suite #400 

Skokie, IL 60077

https://www.presbyterianliving.org/geneva-foundation/

·       St. Athanasius Church

1615 Lincoln Street

Evanston, IL 60201

https://www.newmanparish.com/give-central