Ruth Ellen McClintic, 101, of State College, PA, died Friday, February 6, 2004, at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, PA.
She was born January 2, 1903, at Centre Hill in Potter Township, a daughter of the late Bruce Wilbur and Effie Elizabeth Burkholder Ripka.
On September 1, 1923, she married Roy Carl McClintic who died April 18, 1984. In 1936, Roy and Ruth moved their family from Centre Hill to State College, and have always enjoyed living in the State College area.
Mrs. McClintic graduated from Centre Hall-Potter High School in 1921, and was the last living member of her class and seldom missed attending alumni banquets.
She worked at the Fairmont Avenue School cafeteria for 20 years, retiring in 1969. Mrs. McClintic also did housework for people in the State College area, working for one family for 35 years. She also worked a the "Pink Elephant" fraternity during World War II, when the university housed armed forces services trainees.
She was a member of Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church and was previously a member of the former St. John's United Methodist Church in State College, where she served as treasurer for 42 years. She was also a member of Gleaners' Sunday School Class and enjoyed serving dinners, "Pie Days," and "Soup Days" with the class. She was also a member of the Tussey Rebekah Lodge #66 in Boalsburg. She served as financial and recording secretary for the Lady Rebekah State Lodge for 30 years. Ruth was a charter member of the ladies auxiliary of the Smith-Pletcher American Legion Post 779, Centre Hall, PA, and has retained that membership for 56 years. She was a 36-year breast cancer survivor.
Mrs. McClintic especially enjoyed crocheting doilies, embroidering pillow cases, and baking her famous lemon sponge pies for bazaars. She enjoyed people and socializing, family dinners, reunions, and pot luck dinners. In her later years, television, reading, and puzzle books were additional things she enjoyed. She was an avid Penn State Football fan and enjoyed NASCAR racing. She is survived by a daughter, Margaret M. Mattern, of rural Port Matilda; one sister, Bernice A. Wallace, of State College; one brother, Dean B. Ripka, of Centre Hall; eight grandchildren, Stanley E. McClintic, Jr. of Spring Mills, Roy McClintic and his wife, Gloria, of Charlotte, NC, Sally Wentzel and Rick McClintic of Bellefonte, Jeannie Williams of State College, Linda Mattern of Tuscon, AZ, Betsy Moon and her husband, Eugene, of Conroe, TX, and Jan B. Mattern and his wife, Catherine, of California City, CA; 17 great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandson. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Stanley McClintic who died February 20, 1991; two sisters, Zella Royer and Luella Ripka, and one brother, Paul B. Ripka.
Friends will be received from 7 - 9 p.m., Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Eloise B. Kyper Funeral Home, Inc., 1034 Benner Pike, State College, PA. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2004, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Marian E. Hartman and the Rev. John Marlyn Rimert officiating. Burial will be at Centre County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike, State College, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
A guest book can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com, then click on obituaries.