| Ruth Elizabeth Michaelis |
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| Written by provided to Sentinel-Tribune |
| Thursday, 16 August 2012 10:02 |
 "The Ladybug Lady" Ruth Michaelis, 92, died on August 14, 2012 at Kingston House in Sylvania. Ruth was born on October 12, 1919, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, to James and Myrtle Harrison. She started first grade at the age of 4. She graduated from Classen High School at the age of 16. While in high school she won numerous oratory contests and was a member of National Honor Society. Ruth then attended Oklahoma City University (OCU), where she worked at the registrar's office to pay for her tuition. At the university she was a member of the tennis team, Phi Phi Phi Sorority, president of Ladybug Pep Club, on the yearbook committee, and a member of numerous scholastic honoraries. She was chosen as one of the top five juniors, tapped into the senior scholastic honorary and graduated Magna Cum Laude at the age of 20. She worked at the Oklahoma Capitol Building and the Veteran's Administration Building in Washington D.C. She met Clifford Michaelis at OCU where he was in training to be a pilot during World War II. They were married in Wesley United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. After the war they moved to Haskins, OH. Ruth became a teacher in Dowling and Tontogany. Then they moved to Toledo when both Clifford and Ruth began teaching in Washington Local Schools. Ruth started at Shoreland Elementary and then moved to Lincolnshire when it opened. While at Lincolnshire, she led her students to a successful campaign to make the ladybug the Ohio State Insect.  She will be forever known as "The Ladybug Lady." She was given the awards of Outstanding Teacher for Washington Local Schools and Outstanding Alumnus at Oklahoma City University. Ruth and Clifford traveled over the world for over 20 years and they traveled around the U.S. in a motor home after they retired. Ruth was a member of Sylvania United Methodist Church and played in the band at Sylvania Senior Center for years. Ruth is survived by her son, Tom, daughter, Cheri (Don) Briggs, grandchildren, Scott (Tracy) Michaelis, Chris (Sarah) Michaelis, Tracy (Ari) Rapport, Kelly (Noah) Thomas, Teri Detwiler, and David (Jenni) Briggs, 16 great-grandchildren and sister, Ruby Brewer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Clifford, and sister, Helen Wolfe. Visitation will be at Peinert Funeral Home, 18620 Washington St. Tontogany, OH, Friday, August 17, 2012 from 3 - 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Memorials can be given to Sylvania United Methodist Church. To leave a memory please visit www.peinertfuneralhome.com. To send flowers click here! |
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Merle and Ginny Michaelis and family
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