Obituary for Ruth S. Bilskie
Obituary for Ruth S. “Wichman” Bilskie
Ruth S. Bilskie, 95, Vincennes, passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at BridgePointe Health Campus with her family by her side. Ruth was born in Detroit, MI, on June 4, 1923, to Alfred and Helen (Kaiser) Wichman. She married Joseph I. Bilskie on November 7, 1945, and they shared a life for 58 years until his death in 2004. Ruth was one of the “greatest generation” and during World War II worked at Servel in Evansville, IN, building fighter planes. Ruth was a loving wife to her husband, providing support so that he could manage the family business they owned. She was a lifelong homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an avid euchre player and made an art of sewing. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Together Joe and Ruth instilled in their children the values of selflessness, honesty, and hard work. Ruth was a true lady – touching all who knew her with her graciousness and loving ways.
Surviving are her daughters, Diane Hohl (Stan), Jasper, IN, Joyce Hatfield (Jim), Evansville, IN, Janice Fisher (Will), Vincennes, IN, sons, Joe Bilskie Jr. (Donna), Vincennes, IN, and Jim Bilskie, Salt Lake City, UT. Her Grandchildren, Stacey (Mike) Fischer, Eric (Catherine) Bilskie, Beth (Jamie) Newton, Matt (Leah) Bilskie, Jenny (Randy) Smith, Emily (Matthew) Woods, Karli (Robert) Sproul, Danielle (Matt) Halter, Nick (Lisa) Halter, Brent (Laura) Halter, Jenna (Chris) Prifogle, Kara (Brandon) Street. 23 great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wichman and a dear friend, Janet Mayall Bilskie.
“There are no goodbyes. Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.”
Ruth is preceded by her husband, her parents, a brother Edwin Wichman, her sister Mildred James, and son-in-law Dan Halter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 5, at St John Church, 803 Main St., with Father Donald Ackerman officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, at Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Xavier Church and Good Samaritan Hospice. Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home is honored to assist with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at duesterbergfredrick.com
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Ruth S. Bilskie, 95, Vincennes, passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at BridgePointe Health Campus with her family by her side. Ruth was born in Detroit, MI, on June 4, 1923, to Alfred and Helen (Kaiser) Wichman. She married Joseph I. Bilskie on November 7, 1945, and they shared a life for 58 years until his death in 2004. Ruth was one of the “greatest generation” and during World War II worked at Servel in Evansville, IN, building fighter planes. Ruth was a loving wife to her husband, providing support so that he could manage the family business they owned. She was a lifelong homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an avid euchre player and made an art of sewing. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Together Joe and Ruth instilled in their children the values of selflessness, honesty, and hard work. Ruth was a true lady – touching all who knew her with her graciousness and loving ways.
Surviving are her daughters, Diane Hohl (Stan), Jasper, IN, Joyce Hatfield (Jim), Evansville, IN, Janice Fisher (Will), Vincennes, IN, sons, Joe Bilskie Jr. (Donna), Vincennes, IN, and Jim Bilskie, Salt Lake City, UT. Her Grandchildren, Stacey (Mike) Fischer, Eric (Catherine) Bilskie, Beth (Jamie) Newton, Matt (Leah) Bilskie, Jenny (Randy) Smith, Emily (Matthew) Woods, Karli (Robert) Sproul, Danielle (Matt) Halter, Nick (Lisa) Halter, Brent (Laura) Halter, Jenna (Chris) Prifogle, Kara (Brandon) Street. 23 great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wichman and a dear friend, Janet Mayall Bilskie.
“There are no goodbyes. Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.”
Ruth is preceded by her husband, her parents, a brother Edwin Wichman, her sister Mildred James, and son-in-law Dan Halter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 5, at St John Church, 803 Main St., with Father Donald Ackerman officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, at Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Xavier Church and Good Samaritan Hospice. Duesterberg-Fredrick Funeral Home is honored to assist with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at duesterbergfredrick.com
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Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
4
Nov
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Duesterberg-Fredrick
521 Vigo Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
Funeral Mass
Monday
5
Nov
11:00 AM
St. John Catholic Church
803 Main St.
Vincennes, IN 47591
Cemetery Details
Location
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Willow St.
Vincennes, IN 47591
Memorial Contribution
St. Vincent DePaul Society
St. Francis Xavier Parish
Good Samaritan Hospice
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