Ruth Elaine (Hortin) Weaver

Ruth Elaine Weaver, 86, of Urbana passed away at 10:22 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2019 at Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana.

Per Ruth’s wishes cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service celebrating her life will take place on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana. The service will begin at 3:00, with several family members speaking, followed by a social time with light refreshments. 

In addition, there will be a tailgate in Ruth’s honor on Saturday, October 12, at 2:30, following the Illinois vs. Michigan football game.  The tailgate will be in the grassy area on the south side of the State Farm Center near St. Mary’s Road. All family and friends are welcome to attend both of these events.

Ruth was born on May 14, 1933 in Vandalia, IL to parents James and Pauline (Brooks) Hortin.  They preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her sister Rosalie Bagley.

On June 16, 1956 Ruth married John B. Weaver at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Urbana, he survives. Also surviving are their sons; John D. Weaver (Mary) of Champaign and Thomas J. Weaver (Sheila) of Burlington, VT. Her brother Robert D. Hortin of Silver Springs, MD, four grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive her.

Ruth earned her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Illinois and taught in the Champaign Unit 4 District for thirty years.

Ruth was just two days short of her sixty-third wedding anniversary when she passed away.  She loved spending time with family and friends. She took special delight in visits with her grandchildren, and her great grand-daughter, Zarina.

Ruth was an excellent cook.  She enjoyed using her cooking skills for Illini Football tailgates with a special group of friends who dubbed themselves the American Loon Association; a reference to their appreciation for loons.  She received special recognition for her “Galloping Ghost Gazpacho” at the original Illini Tailgreat in the 1980s.

She was a long-time mentor in the Urbana schools in addition to her three decades of teaching in Champaign.  In recent years, she was an active member of PEO, which supports educational opportunities for women.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. 

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