Ruth Opal Yoder Nyce, 93, formerly of Fayette, died early Thursday morning. December 10, 2020, at Fairlawn Haven in Archbold. She was born on March 21, 1927, in Louisville, OH to the late Fred and Emma (Miller) Yoder. She married Robert W. Nyce on August 2, 1950, in Louisville, OH.
Ruth grew up in Louisville, OH and graduated from Louisville High School in 1945. After high school, she attended Goshen College where she received a B.A. in Music. After their marriage Ruth and Bob moved to Pennsylvania where Bob attended Hahnemann Medical school in Philadelphia. Ruth taught music during this time in multiple country schools and Blooming Glen High School. In July of 1956, Bob and Ruth moved to Fayette, where they lived for 50 years.
Ruth was very involved in the community serving on the Opera House Board, performing in the Pretenders, and she was a member of the Fayette Woman’s Club. Ruth was very supportive of “Doc Nyce’s” medical practice for 47 years.
Music was an important part of Ruth’s life. She directed Woman’s Choirs, mixed choirs, accompanied musicals at school, and directed the Bell choir at Zion Mennonite Church for 20 years where Ruth was a member. She accompanied many local soloists throughout the years.
Ruth enjoyed camping trips, cooking and entertaining. She spent time each summer with the “Lake Gang” which included her good friends from Fayette.
Surviving Ruth are four children, Karen(Randy)Stuckey of West Unity, OH. Richard(Eileen) Nyce of Pettisville, OH, Susan(Kirk)Stiffney of Goshen, IN and Philip(Maribeth)Nyce of Jones, MI; ten grandchildren, Emily, Jonathan, Rustin, Matthew, Hope, Kyle, Joshua, Aaron, Peter and David; and eleven great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Robert W. Nyce and a son, William Jay Nyce, in 1986.
Private interment will be at Pleasant View Union Cemetery in Fayette. Memorial gifts in Ruth’s memory may be directed to Archbold Fish Pantry, P.O. Box 5, Archbold, OH 43502. Online condolences to the family may be offered at www.eaglemarryfuneralhome.com. The Eagle-Marry Funeral Home – Fayette Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.
