RUTH L. DARLING
Ruth L. Darling, age 79 of Lodi, CA passed away on Thursday, December 28th, 2017. Ruth had survived her husband, retired minister, Rev. Steven L. Darling, who passed in April and to whom Ruth had been married 57 years. Steven and Ruth were married in Funks Grove, “Church & Chapel in the Trees” Illinois on June 12, 1960. Funks Grove has since been made a National Natural Landmark and Nature Preserve.
Ruth was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan, Bloomington, Illinois. She used her degree in nursing as an R.N. for a career spanning 40 years, caring for patients until her retirement in 1997. She and Steven had moved to California with their young family in 1966 and after many moves over the years, serving churches and hospitals, their last move was to Lodi, CA in 1993 and was to be “their last”. Steven and Ruth both retired after moving to Lodi and loved their local community and the home they made.
Although Steven had just passed some months ago, Ruth was determined to be engaged and was actively living her life enjoying attending church, the Stockton Symphony, visiting with her many wonderful neighbors, gardening, reading, watching baseball games and spending time with her children, grand-children, and great grandchild who were visiting her often.
Ruth is survived by her older sister and brother, MaryEllen Peabody and G.W. (Mike) Howell; children Kevin, Yvonne, and Cheri; grandchildren Christopher, Sarah, Johnathan, Emily, Jacob, and Allison; and great-grandchild Aiden; as well as many other loving relatives.
The Darling Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ruth’s favorite charities that included First United Methodist Church of Lodi, Habitat for Humanity, The Sacramento Symphony, The Stockton Chorale, or your favorite charity.
A celebration and remembrance of Ruth’s life will be held April 14th at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church, 200 West Oak Street, Lodi, CA 95240 where she and Steven had been parishioners for many years.
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/guestbook.