Ruth Elverna Webster Gee, 96, passed away in Pentwater, Michigan on Sunday, July 16, 2017.

Born March 23, 1921 in Hickman, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Herbert (1894-1960) and Anna Myrl Bohannon Webster (1898-1962), born in Henshaw, KY.to Jesse Milton Bohannon (1863-1900) and Ruth Ellen Omer (1873-1914).  Herbert, born in Hickman, PA, was the son of Edward Webster (1850-1908) and Emma Cooper (1858-1924).  Edward and his father, John, emigrated from England in 1882 and then founded Hickman, PA in 1884 when he built a hotel and houses to accommodate the area's burgeoning coal mining.   Emma and 3 children followed in 1884.  Herbert was born and raised in Hickman, PA.

Ruth's family moved to California, PA in 1933, when her father, unemployed by the Depression, secured a job at the Eclipse Mine in Roscoe, PA.  She attended California High School and received her teaching degree at California State Teacher's college, across the street from her home.  She taught sixth grade in Oakmont and Pitcairn, PA, then third grade for 28 years at Sunnymede Elementary School, part of the East Allen County, IN schools system, from which she retired.

Ruth married Gail Parker Gee (1919-1991) in 1942.  He was from N. Charleroi, PA.  After WWII, Parker finished his education at California Teachers College and then worked for the Globe Insurance Company in Pittsburgh, PA.  He was subsequently transferred to South Bend, IN, and then took an insurance position in Fort Wayne, IN.  Parker started Insurance and Risk Management with 4 other partners and retired from the company in 1981.  They subsequently moved to N. Naples, FL.  Ruth later moved to Columbus, IN, and then to Pentwater, MI to be closer to assistance from her children.

Ruth was the eldest and remaining sibling of 6: Robert, Herbert, Loretta, Arlene, and James.  Ruth is survived by her daughter, Cherie Gail Gee Thompson of Elkhart, IN, (husband David) and son, Rand Mason Gee of Pentwater, MI, (wife Nancy Ledger).  She had four grandsons: Travis Michael Ellison (Portland, OR), R. Matthew Gee (Seattle, WA), Cory Allen Just (Indianapolis, IN), and Kyle Webster Just (Attleboro, MA).  She has several nieces and nephews in the Pittsburgh, PA. area.

Ruth was interred with her husband at Green Lawn Cemetery in Fort Wayne, IN following a private family service.

Send memorials to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515, or online.