Born in Portsmouth, OH on Sept. 23, 1923 to Frank and Edna (Schwamberger) Gemperline, Ruth Eileen Lyles passed away at her Lynden home on Oct. 26, 2023 at the age of 100.
In Portsmouth, Ruth graduated from Holy Redeemer High School. After marrying Harold Lyles and having two children, Lynn Ann and Raymond Francis, they moved to Chicago, IL.
In Chicago, she worked as a bookkeeper for a major hospital for over 25 years. With the children grown and gone, she and Harold moved to Chesterton, IN where Ruth worked at the reference desk for Westchester Public Library, earning commendations for improving their systems and procedures. She was also on the board and was the treasurer of the Duneland Historical Society.
In 1992, they moved to Lynden to be near their son, Raymond. Ruth immediately volunteered at the Lynden Community Center and at a local nursing home. She joined the board of directors of the community center and was treasurer for several years. In 2008, the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County nominated her for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She has a signed letter from President George W. Bush commending her on her service.
Despite working full time and raising two children, Ruth had time for other interests. She did lovely decorative needlepoint. Her best work was a series of images of winter, spring, summer, and fall that have adorned the walls in her Lynden home for over 30 years.
Ruth was also an avid bell collector, which at one point included almost 800 bells. She joined the American Bell Association and was president of the local chapter in Indiana for several years. There was an extensive interview about her collection that was published in the Chesterton Post-Tribune in July 1988.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Harold Lyles in 1996 and her daughter Lynn Ann Bell in 2006.
Ruth is survived by her son Raymond Lyles, and her grandson James McAllister.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 205 12th St., Lynden, followed by a graveside committal at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lynden Community Center.
Please share your memories of Ruth at the Westford Funeral Home and Cremation Services website.
