Ruth Offutt

Ruth Ellen (White) Offutt, age 73, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at her daughter’s home. Born January 5, 1945, in Frederick, MD, she was a daughter of the late Howard W. and Sadie S. (Bussard) White. Mrs. Offutt married Franklin Thomas Offutt Sr., on August 25, 1962. They had four children together. Mr. Offutt preceded her in death on February 2, 1997.
Ruth passed with 3 generations of loved ones around her. She was an extremely giving, devoted, and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Everyone that knew her, loved her. Ruth had a light about her that welcomed people and drew them to her. She hugged everyone she met, even if she did not know them. The Lord definitely worked through her during her life.
A lover of the land, Ruth was born a farmer. She grew up on her family’s farm in Feagaville,MD and then worked along with her husband on farms in Middletown and Frederick, MD until moving to Dry Run, PA, where she and her husband operated their own dairy farm of 280+ acres. They worked as a family caring for 250 milking cows from 1975 until 2000. She loved being outdoors, whether it was farming or gardening. Ruth’s passion for the farm and her family was evident in the great care she took of both. She would work alongside her husband and children in the fields or milking cows and still care for the home and her family. Ruth was also very involved in community as she was a member of the PA Farm Bureau. An inherent nature lover, Ruth loved the sound of the ocean and the beauty of watching things grow. Her grandchildren loved spending time with her whether it be listening to her stories, cooking with her, shopping, or playing games. These were some of the favorite times in her life.

Upon retirement, Ruth also worked as a receptionist at the Quincy Village Retirement Community in Quincy, PA for several years. The residents and their families loved Ruth’s spirit and appreciated her kindness. A devout Catholic, Ruth was also an active member of the St. John’s Catholic Church in Frederick, MD, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Doylesburg, PA and Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg. She loved worshipping the Lord alongside her family and friends. A special thanks to Paul Little who served as the church liaison for Ruth when she became homebound.
Mrs. Offutt is survived by her children, Michael Offutt (wife Tammy) of Falling Waters, WV, Sandra Lea Offutt of Chambersburg, PA and Franklin Thomas Offutt Jr., (wife Jodi) of Doylesburg, PA; grandchildren, Nicole (husband Doug), McKenzie (wife Helen), Stephanie “Ty”, Logan (wife Leah), Jordan, Tucker, and Paul; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Grayson, Aveline, Millicent, and Dean; siblings, Robert L. White of Taneytown, MD, and Richard A. White of Adamstown, MD, Naomi Zimmerman (husband John David) of Frederick, MD, Harvey Breeden, also of Frederick, MD, and her special friend, Lorraine Gloss. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Melissa Dawn Offutt, son-in-law Guy Clugston, her father and mother in law Mr. and Mrs. Linwood T. (Helen) Offutt Sr., and several step-siblings. The family would like to extend a warm thanks for all the loving care she received from Heartland Hospice and Community Home Health in Chambersburg, PA. Your tender care and respect for her was greatly appreciated.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018, at 3:00 PM in the Chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA. Very Reverend Luis R. Rodriguez, V.F. will officiate. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Inurnment will take place in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, in Frederick, MD at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201; St. Mary’s Our Lady of Refuge Church, 21169 Cross Rd., Doylesburg, PA 17219; or Heartland Hospice, 417 Phoenix Dr. A, Chambersburg, PA 17201.