Ruth Evelyn Wilson

Ruth Evelyn Wilson, a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and dedicated educator, passed away on January 30, 2024, at the age of 95. She took her last breath at Rittenhouse Village At Northside in Indianapolis, IN, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family.

Ruth was born in the comfort of her childhood home on December 2, 1928, in Palestine, IL, to her late parents, William Fredrick & Fern (Sponsler) Fox. Her journey began in Palestine, and as she grew, so did her aspirations. She graduated from Robinson High School in 1946, already clear on her life's passion - education. Ruth's love for learning carried her to MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, where she graduated in 1950, and she later earned her master's degree in education from the University of Illinois in 1964.

Ruth's career as a teacher started in Michigan, but she soon returned to her roots in Illinois, where she married Gerald D. Wilson on July 18, 1953. She taught at Robinson High School for six years before taking some time to raise her family. Ruth later re-entered the workforce as a teacher in Fisher, IL, and in 1968, the family moved to Speedway, IN, where she continued to inspire students in history and literature at Speedway High School until her retirement in the mid-1980s.

Ruth's interests and talents were many. A voracious reader, she delighted in books on history, and her love for music was evident as a fantastic piano player - a joy that remained within the walls of her home. Her home was also an avenue for her exceptional culinary skills, notably her potato salad and chocolate pie, which became legendary among those who had the pleasure of tasting them.

Her love for life was not just confined to her home - Ruth relished traveling to the South for vacations and cherished the memories made in her vacation house in Michigan, a place dear to her heart. In the 1990s, she found fellowship and spiritual growth in her women's Bible study at North United Methodist in Indianapolis.

To many, Ruth was a beacon of love and determination, a matriarch who anchored her family with warmth and compassion. She approached life with a loving heart, her faith guiding her through the many chapters of her journey. Now that her journey has led her into the loving arms of Jesus, we can look back with gratitude, recognizing the impact she made in the countless lives she touched through her years as an educator and in the steadfast love and wisdom she imparted to her family - her daughter, Amanda Petrosky; her grandchildren, Randy Pyles, Christina Pyles, and Nicole & Rowdy Pierson; her great-grandson, Rowdy Pierson, II; her nephew, Gene Tidwell; and her niece, Linda Tidwell.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 45 years, she was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Michael Petrosky.

A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with Pastor Terry Evans officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

She will be laid to rest in the Palestine Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the "NOW Program", which sends supplemental food home with local students on weekends. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.