Ruth M. Stewart
(May 16, 1929 – December 15, 2023)
Ruth May Stewart, 94, of Decatur, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 5:24 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023 in Mt. Zion Health and Rehabilitation Center, Mt. Zion, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 20, 2023 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home with Rev. Lonnie Stewart and Rev. Randy Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Hermon Cemetery, near Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Lonnie’s church, Liberty Life Church in Mattoon, IL.
Ruth was born on May 16, 1929 in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Carrie L. (Hostetler) Eigsti. She married Lafe Joseph Stewart on May 2, 1952 and they were blessed with five children, Joya, Lonnie, Sandra, Kendall and Chris. Ruth was a lifelong member of the former Mt. Hermon Amish Mennonite Church near Shelbyville. She was an avid prayer warrior and enjoyed singing, reading God’s word, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Joya Ryan (Jeff) of Decatur, IL, Lonnie Stewart (Theresa) of Mattoon, IL, Sandra Otto (Dave) of Middlebury, IN, Kendall Stewart (Amy) of Manning, SC, and Chris Stewart of Shelbyville, IL; sister-in-law, Rosie Eigsti of Shelbyville, IL; seven grandchildren, Carrie Ryan (Leigh), Stewart Otto (Jasmine), Jessica Otto (fiancé, Lance Riley), Landon Stewart (Jess), Cameron Stewart, Morgan Stewart and Nathan Stewart; and great grandchildren, Jade Ryan, Adleigh Ryan, Cohen Otto, Raelyn Otto and Izzy Law.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lafe Stewart; brothers, Leo Eigsti (Marilyn) and Roy Eigsti; and sisters, Edna Eigsti, Fern Toll (Joe), Mary Ellen Eigsti, and Esther Eigsti.