Sister Ruth Johnson

Sister Ruth Johnson, 93, of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio, died at 3:30 pm Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at St. Francis Home.

She was born October 17, 1923, in Riga, Michigan, to Roy Osgood and Emma (Miller) Johnson.

Surviving are a sister, Mary Jo DiValerio, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Lois (Johnson) Forgette, Susan (Johnson) Harley, Leona Chavanec, and Marie (Johnson) Dominique; brothers Philip Johnson, Mark Johnson, Lawrence Johnson, Bernard Johnson, Leon Johnson, and William Johnson.

Sister  Ruth was the tenth of twelve children.  She earned a Master of Arts Degree from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.As a Sister of St. Francis she served as a teacher in the following Ohio schools:  St. Mary’s School in Edgerton,  St. Bernard’s School in New Washington, Our Lady of Consolation School in Carey, and St. Sebastian School in Bismark. While serving at Miller City-New Cleveland School in New Cleveland and at Holy Trinity School in Bucyrus she was both teacher and principal. Later she served the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Toledo as the Social Studies Supervisor. During her years in education she taught third through eighth grades and was a principal for seven years.  Upon completing her teaching career in 1972 she returned to the motherhouse in Tiffin where she served as the sacristan. In 1975 she returned to what she had loved doing as a volunteer in high school, working with the elderly.  She became Director of Recreational Activities at St. Francis Home, a position she held until 1985.  In subsequent years she served as coordinator of the activities program for senior sisters at the motherhouse and as Director of the Historical Museum.  In the civic community she served as president of Seneca County Church Women United and coordinator of Seneca County Migrant Ministry.  Until the time of her death she served as a minister of prayer at St. Francis Home.

Sister Ruth enjoyed sharing her musical and poetic talents, as well as singing, dancing, and entertaining others with her clowning skills. It was not unusual to hear her singing “You are my sunshine. . .”

Visitation will be 4 to 6 pm Thursday, August 3, at St. Francis Home Chapel.  The body will then be moved to St. Francis Convent Chapel, where a Wake Service will be held at 7 pm, and visitation will continue until 9 pm.  Visitation will also be at the Convent Chapel on Friday, August 4, from 9 am until time of funeral Mass at 11 am.  Burial will follow in St. Francis Convent Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Francis Convent or St. Francis Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, OH 44883 (419) 447-3113.

Online condolences may be posted at www.traunerofuneralhome.com.