Portage County obituaries for Nov. 3-5

Age 92 years, born 8/6/31 in Salem, Ohio and died on 10/18/23 at PRISMA Baptist Easley Hospital, Ealsey, SC after lingering health concerns. She lived and grew in faith to serve God following the example of her parents Hazel (Burt) & Howard Gillett. She was sister to Joyce Gillett, Elaine (George) Bergman and Connie (Ken) Tolson, all of Salem, OH and preceded her in death. In her words, “Once you start something you can’t quit till it’s done.”

Ruth, was married to Rev. Dwaine Stanley for 72 years, a farmer, a traveling salesman, businessman, then a pastor. They lived in Salem, Brimfield, Suffield, and Nelson, Ohio. In 1987 they served at Nelson UMC in OH for 12 years then retired to SC. In retirement in SC, they served at Lebanon UMC, and Liberty Hill UMC. Up to her death, together they were still serving weekly Sunday worship services and Bible studies at the retirement center where they lived in Easley, SC. Ruth offered weekly lessons of “Stories Behind the Hymns”. She would say: “Every marriage is a mixed marriage, and marriage is an ongoing work in progress”. “Each person has to give more than 100% to have a 50/50 marriage.”