Ruth Elaine Mathes, 73, of Urbana, passed away at 11:36 P.M., on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 21, 2014 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Ruth was born on June 12, 1940 in Universal, Indiana to parents Lester and Mildred (Hunt) Wright. They preceded her in death. On July 28, 1962 she married John Mathes in Indiana and they had two children, Dennis Mathes of Jacksonville, Illinois and Melissa (Travis) Bauer of Urbana. They survive. Also surviving are one grand-daughter, Alexandria Ruth Bauer, one sister, Edna (Richard) Wright and three brothers, Donald (Sandra) McCauley, Charles (Jeannie) McCauley Jr., and Gary Wright.

Ruth was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Lou Wright and one brother, Kenneth Wright.

Ruth was a graduate of St. Bernice High School and worked at Walgreen's and as an office manager at a podiatrist's office.

Ruth was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grand-daughter; they were best friends. Ruth was best friends with almost everyone she met. She was always kind, thoughtful, caring and she loved to laugh. She cared more about others than she did herself.

Ruth was a room mother at Thomas Paine Elementary School for many years and served as a sponsor for the Urbana High School Wrestlettes, a cheerleading squad for the wrestling team.

Ruth owned two cats and liked to spoil them. She had a garden in her backyard and loved flowers. She had recently learned to use a computer. Ruth enjoyed playing card games, Yahtzee and chess with her family, and she was an avid fan of high school and college basketball, especially the Fighting Illini. She liked Olive Garden, HGTV and QVC. What she loved most of all was grabbing her grand-daughter and giving her big hugs and lots of kisses.

Ruth met every challenge with faith, optimism and determination. "One foot in front of the other," she'd often say. When anything went wrong, Ruth always found a way to make things seem right again. Ruth was much beloved by her family and friends; she will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Memorial Contributions may be given in Ruth's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.