MCCONNELL, Ruth

News-Herald (Cleveland OH) Monday, January 9, 2012 Ruth Baird McConnell of Middlefield, was born March 1, 1921, in Parkman to Forrest S and Mabelle L Linsley Baird, and passed away Jan 5, 2012. She graduated from Parkman High School in 1939 and Flora Stone Mather College (now part of Case Western Reserve University) in 1943 with a B. S. home economics. She married John S McConnell Dec 11, 1942, and worked as manager of several Cleveland Junior High cafeterias until her husband came home from World War II in 1945. They moved to Middlefield in 1946 and had six sons. In 1968, she again used her degree as director of food services at Orange Board of Education for five years until her retirement in 1981, at the Shaker Board of Education. Ruth was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Middlefield, the Progressive Music Club, and Geauga Home Economists. Before her husband died in 1992, they spent their winters in Wickenburg, Ariz., and had also wintered in Sarasota, Fla. Ruth leaves six sons, Barry (Nicki) of St Charles, Ill., Michael of Bradenton, Fla., James (Lisa) of Mesopotamia, Daniel of Perry, Paul (Renee) of Hubbard and Thomas (Helen) of Brooksville, Fla; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Friday, Jan 13, 2012, at Russell Funeral Service, 15670 West High St (Route 87), Middlefield. A memorial service will be held 11am Saturday, Jan 14, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church, 14999 S State Ave., Middlefield. Per her wishes, Ruth will be cremated and buried during this coming summer at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., with her husband, John.