Ruth O. Tanton

March 11, 1921 - October 24, 2016

Ruth Onilee Tanton of Deckerville passed away peacefully of natural causes in her home on October 24, 2016 at the age of 95. She was born at her parents' home on March 11, 1921, the third child of Roy and Alta Cleland. Growing up on a farm in Charleston, MI taught Ruth the values of family and hard work. On June 3, 1942, she married the love of her life, Maxwell Francis Tanton. While raising two daughters with her husband, Ruth spent her life working hard doing everything from churning butter by hand, to running the family farm while Max was out of town, to doing the books for the cement business. Her attention to detail was second to none. She enjoyed playing euchre with family and friends, crafting, traveling to Florida, traveling via travel-trailer, and crocheting. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and a friend to all. Her hard work, selflessness, devotion, and loving nature were a lesson for everyone she encountered. Ruth is survived by her husband Max, sharing nearly 75 years of marriage together. She is also survived by her sister Elaine (Ed) Poole, daughter Diane Coleman, son-in-law Ward Hooper, granddaughters Susan Roberts, Melissa (James) Drew, and Tina (Shawn) Monahon, great grandchildren Kayla & Taylor Monahon and Owen Drew. Ruth was proceeded in death by her parents Roy and Alta Cleland, brother Gordon (Agnes) Cleland, sisters, Jean (Lee) Tanton, and Doris (Al) Thompson, her daughter Joan Hooper, and her grandson-in-law Greg Roberts. Funeral services will be held at Apsey Funeral Home on Friday October 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM., Rev. Ron Compton will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday from 2-8 PM Memorial gifts may be made to the Deckerville Methodist Church or the Deckerville Community Hospital. Condolences may be sent on line to apseyfuneralhome.net