The earthly life of Ruth Esther Shake Thomas ended June 24, 2013 when she began her journey to meet her Savior. For 67 years she shared her life with her beloved husband, John Joel Thomas, who died December 17, 2008. Ruth was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, at Union Hospital on February 18, 1923. She was the daughter of Elder H.T. Shake and Mary Loyd Shake. At age 5, she was accepted by Indiana State Teachers College beginning her first grade education. It was a private school on the college campus. Later, she graduated with the class of 1939 from the Indiana State Laboratory School. Ruth attended ISU prior to working with Col. Soldersholm at the War Aid Depot during W.W. II. Later she was employed as Supervisor of Presidential Correspondence at the Columbia Record Club. She was a member of Northwest Church of Christ, having been baptized in 1936. Ruth was a life member of the Women's Department Club, a life member of the Vigo County Historical Society, a charter member of the Angels and a member of the Swope Art Museum. In earlier years she was a member of the Fort Harrison Elks Club #86 golf leagues and PEO, Chapter K. Following her husband's retirement they traveled both internationally and domestically and spent many winters in Florida. Ruth was an excellent genealogist and she loved doing research. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, John Joel Thomas; her parents; a sister, Nola Simpson; a brother, Edward Shake; an infant brother, Manford; an infant granddaughter, Andrea Cattel Beatty; a special niece, Betty Shake Orlandi; and three nephews, Edward, Loyd, and Everett Shake. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Marie Beatty of Terre Haute, Sherry Ann Hustad and her husband Tom of Bloomington, IN; and her son John B. Thomas and his wife Amy of Terre Haute; her surviving grandchildren include, Kathleen Hustad Hester and her husband Derek of Minneapolis, MN, John Thomas Pegg Hustad and his wife Tara of Hershey, PA, John Christopher "JC" Thomas and Matthew James Thomas both of Terre Haute, Lee Hinesley and his wife Wendi of Clinton, IN and Neil Beatty and his fiancé Autumn Hoffman of Terre Haute. She is survived by several great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, June 29, 2013 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th Street with David Grubb, Minister of Northwest Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled Friday, June 28, 2013 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. The family kindly request that memorial contributions be made to Northwest Church of Christ, 625 Florida, Ave. Terre Haute, IN 47804, Wabash Valley Community Foundation, 2901 Ohio Blvd. Suite 153, Terre Haute, IN 47803, Swope Art Museum, 25 S. 7th St. Terre Haute, IN 47807, Woman's Department Club, 507 S. 6th St. Terre Haute, IN 47807 and or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the compassionate professionals of Great Lakes Hospice and Meadows Manor North. Also the family wants to express their great appreciation to Dr. Krishna Namburi, Lisa Ferguson and his staff for the excellent care Ruth received as their patient.
