Ruth D. (Dieffenbacher) Smith

Ruth D. (Dieffenbacher) Smith, 91, of Lower Raven Creek Road, Benton, died early Wednesday morning, January 23rd, 2013 at her home. Born August 7, 1921 in Hemlock Township, she was a daughter of the late Kester E. and Agnes G. (Maust) Dieffenbacher. She was a graduate of Bloomsburg High School, Class of 1939 and then attended Mansfield State Teachers College. Ruth assisted her husband with the operation of Thunder Bird Farm, the family dairy business, during their marriage of 46 years. She excelled at being a loving, caring, homemaking mother and wife. Sewing, cooking, baking, canning and bread baking were her daily gifts to family and friends. Vegetable and flower gardening, yard maintenance, rock collecting, observing nature and reading were her relaxing pastimes. She was a member of the Benton Christian Church and served as a leader of the Raven Creek 4-H Club for more than 25 years. Surviving, are her 5 daughters: Nancy S. Musselman; Jean S. Hess and her husband, Donald; Linda M. Smith; Ann E. DePoe and her husband, David and Janet E. Smith, all of Benton. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren: C. Robert Musselman, Chris Musselman, Jennifer Musselman, Brenda Jones, Gloria Mommo and Sandy Musselman; 9 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; a brother, Donald J. Dieffenbacher and his wife, Marge, of Buckhorn; a sister-in-law, Irene Dieffenbacher, of Buckhorn and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Smith on February 11, 1988; a daughter, Dorothy A."Dottie" Smith in1955; a stillborn son, Gerald R. Smith in 1951; a twin daughter in November 1946; a grandson, Dale R. Hess on March 22, 1989; a son-in-law, LeRoy L. Musselman on Oct. 22, 2009; a sister, Lois Allen in 1991; a brother, Harold Dieffenbacher in 2005 and a niece, Beth German in 2010. A Celebration of Ruth's life will be held Thursday, February 7th, 2013 at 2 P. M. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (Rt. 487) with the Rev. Dr. David Mansfield, officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Benton Cemetery. A Visitation will be held Thursday, February 7th from 1 P.M. until the time of the service at McMichael's. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Benton Park, P. O. Box 520, Benton, PA 17814 or to the March of Dimes, c/o Maureen Lloyd, 100 N. Academy Drive, Danville, PA 17822-2710.

Ruth D. (Dieffenbacher) Smith

August 7, 1921 - January 23, 2013