Ruth Ellen Winthrop, age 87, of Elkville, died at her home on June 18, 2021.
Ruth was born in Pinckneyville on October 3, 1933, to Gene and Jenny (Craig) Gladson.
She married Allen (Gene) Winthrop on August 4, l950 at the Pinckneyville Baptist Church and he preceded her in death on January 10, 2018.
Ruth was a homemaker, but she also worked a number of years as a retail clerk. Her hobbies were reading and gardening. She and husband Gene planted and tended many beautiful flowers over the years. They often shared their flowers and produce from the garden. Ruth also took many books and home cooked meals to family, friends and shut-ins. Her great loves were her family, her friends, and the Lord.
Ruth was a member of the Elkville Baptist Church.
Ruth is survived by four children: Jeanne Korando (Mitch), Allen Winthrop (Jill), and Lisa Winthrop (Richard Jorgenson) of Elkville, and Jodi Atchison (Bobby) of Sesser. She is survived by five grandchildren: Stacy Emling of DuQuoin, Mark Maple (Mandy) of Springfield, Mallory Bollinger (Jermaine) and Ellie Winthrop of Elkville , and Rebecca Schneider (Zach) of Fairview Heights. She is also survived by six great grandchildren: Wade, Elaina, and Caroline Romani of DuQuoin, Gracie Maple of Springfield, and Slater and Nova Bollinger of Elkville.
Other survivors include a brother, Chuck Gladson (Margaret Lynn) of Pinckneyville, sister Sarah Williams of New Albany, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Craig, Bill, and Frank (Pud) Gladson, and sister Norma Van Zandt.
Special thanks to Mary Craig, Karen Marko, and Denise Mezo.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Elkville Baptist Church from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. followed by funeral services at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Scott Slone officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Elkville Baptist Church. Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of services.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.