Ruth Miller

Ruth Ellen Miller, 91, of Chetopa, passed away at 1:17 a.m., Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Labette Health in Parsons.

Ruth Ellen Willis was born on January 5, 1930, to James Aubrey and Grace Lorene (Wright) Willis in Chetopa.  She grew up, attended school and spent most of her life in Chetopa.

She worked as a seamstress at the H.D. Lee Sewing Factory and later Glen Berry Manufacturing in Chetopa for several years.  Later she worked at other sewing factories in Baxter Springs and Miami.  Many happy memories and good meals were made while working as a cook at Dave's with Dave and Irene Elmore and then at the Hornet's Nest.

Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends.  A highlight of Ruth's year was greeting her dressed-up grandchildren and great-grandchildren with candy every Halloween.  She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and playing pitch, bingo and solitaire.  Watching Western movies and collecting and displaying her John Wayne memorabilia, was also something Ruth enjoyed.

Ruth and Wallace Purcell were married.  The couple later divorced.  On November 21, 1962, Ruth and Wayne Miller were united in marriage.  He preceded her in death on March 30, 1972.

Survivors include:

Four sons – James Purcell, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

John Purcell and his wife, Sharon, of Wapanucka, Oklahoma

Homer Purcell of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ronald Purcell of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Two daughters – Virginia Davis, of Chetopa, Kansas

Marilyn Mayfield and her husband, Mike, of Chetopa, Kansas

Ten grandchildren – Jason Mayfield; David Mayfield and his wife, Rachel; Danny Mayfield; Tony Mayfield; Samantha Mayfield Donfris; Angela

Forquer and her husband, Sean; Julie Fecke; James Purcell; Jennifer Purcell; and Amber Cooper and her husband, Robert

Twenty-one great-grandchildren

One brother – Glen Smith of Buckeye, Arizona

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne Miller; two grandsons, Brian Purcell and Caleb Forquer; one brother, Robert Willis; two sisters, Lorene Boren and Donna Benson; and daughter-in-law, Connie Purcell.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the service begins.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS  67336.