Raymond David 'Ike' Ruff
Raymond David "Ike"
Ruff, died on Thursday (April 3, 2008).
He was born on June 19, 1923,
in Newton to David and Mary Elizabeth (Weinmeister) Ruff. Ike graduated from
Newton High School in May 1943.
He joined the United States
Marine Corps on May 27, 1943. He was a member of Platoon 475 while recruit
training in San Diego. Ike served at Camp Miramar. He was transferred to El
Toro, Calif., and assigned to Mag 41 Operations. Later, he was transferred
overseas at Okinawa to Mag 33 and 14. He returned to the states in February of 1946.
Ike married Gladys Oblander
on Dec. 12, 1947, in Newton. She survives of Newton.
He began his career with
Southwestern Bell in July 23, 1946. His area of work covered southern Kansas.
He relocated to the Newton community as an installer repairman. Being in the
Marines Inactive Reserves as Staff Sergeant, he was recalled in March 19, 1951,
to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif. After four weeks of training, he was
assigned to the line company, training troops for combat duty in Korea. Ike was
transferred to second training battalion at Tent Camp No. 2 and assigned as
Sergeant in charge of building tents for 2nd Training Battalion. Later he was
transferred to Bridgeport, Calif., cold weather camp at Picklemeadows, high in
the Sierra Mountains for communications duties. Ike was honorably discharged on
March 7, 1952.
In 1956, Ike attended No. 5
Crossbar school in Lawrence, Kansas for 22 weeks to become a Switchman in the
Central Office in Newton. He remained in the Newton office until his retirement
on October 4, 1988, with 42 years of service.
Ike enjoyed his
grandchildren, his flowers and garden, his church and all of his friends and
relatives. Ike held memberships with the First Presbyterian Church, American
Legion Wayne G. Austin Post No. 2, Southwestern Bell Pioneers and the United
States Marine Corps Association.
Other survivors include son,
Rick and wife, Carol, of Derby; daughter, Karen Ann Elpers and husband,
Michael, of Natick, Mass.; grandchildren, Jamie Lynn and Kyle Lang of
Manhattan, Shawn David Ruff of Wichita, Jeremy Foster Ruff of Derby and
Christopher Michael Elpers of Natick. Ike has one great-grandchild, Tanner
Michael Lang of Manhattan.
Preceding him in death were
two brothers, Henry and Herman Ruff; and four sisters, Marie Ruff, Eva Smith,
Esther Anderson and Alvina Billeter.
Visitation will be from 1 to
8 p.m. today at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, with the family
greeting friends from 6 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will at 10
a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Newton. The Rev. James W.
Anderson will be presiding.
Burial will be at the
Restlawn Garden of Memories, with the U.S. Marine Corps presenting the honor
guard.
Memorials may be made the
First Presbyterian Church, Building and Grounds Fund, in care of the funeral
home.
