Shirley Ruffing
The strong, hardworking and fiercely independent Shirley Jean Ruffing passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at Blanchard Valley Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was 74 years old and lived in Carey.
Shirley was born on Dec. 28, 1949, in McArthur, to the late Brice Wright and Georgia Fraley and later moved to Carey. She was previously married and had three children, Joyce, Tomie and Sherrie.
While living in Carey, Shirley was introduced to Anthony “Tony” Ruffing and the rest was history. The two were married in March of 1988. Together, Shirley and Tony enjoyed their daily walks with the dogs, visiting flea markets across Ohio and collecting just about anything. Shirley enjoyed collecting angels, records, dolls and Native American artifacts. She and Tony would set up a booth at Lucasville three times a year and had booth 333 at Jeffrey’s Antique Gallery.
Shirley was truly a selfless woman; she would do anything for her family and often put her needs second. She worked for 36 years at the Budd Company in Carey where she operated a press. When Shirley wasn’t working, she was dressed to the nines; she loved clothes and had matching jewelry for every occasion. Shirley enjoyed working around her house and yard and could make an amazing homemade pizza. In her free time, she relaxed by knitting, putting together jigsaw puzzles and never missed a WWE Friday night match.
Shirley will be missed by her husband, Tony; children, Tomie Jarrell and Sherrie Jarrell; step-daughter, Kelli (Michael) King; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and countless animals she helped to rescue.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce Dennison; brothers, Lloyd, Boyd, Dean and Bennie Wright; and step-daughters, Michelle and Jackie Ruffing.
Visitation will be held at Crawford Church, Carey, on Friday, Feb. 16, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. A service will be held at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Cynthia Morrison officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Carey.
Donations in Shirley’s honor may be made to Crawford Church and mailed to Stombaugh-Batton & Snyder Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay Street, Carey.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.StombaughBatton.com.
