Ella Ruth (Mathes) Gfeller 73, of Salem, died at 2:36 pm on Monday, May 6, at Salem Regional Medical Center.

She was born on August 3, 1945 in Irwin, TN, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Altas V(Higgins) Mathes.

Ruth moved from Tennessee to Alliance, OH when she was 11 years old. She graduated from Alliance High School in 1963. She worked at Sherwood Manufacturing in Alliance as a seamstress for over 35 years then she worked for 10-12 years at Canterberry Villa in Alliance in the dietary department. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Ruth loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, family outings, bowling in Alliance and Minerva, and going on outing with the ladies auxiliary from the church.

She is survived by her husband, Richard D Gfeller, whom she married on June 28, 1975, her son, John D Gfeller of Leetonia, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her siblings, Betty Hines of Lansing MI, and Linda Binius of Alliance, OH.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Luther, Richard, Duard, Benjamin Jr, Danis, Warren, Jerry, Allen Mathes and Geraldine Bailey.

Donations may be made in Ruth's memory to Calvary Baptist Church, 1779 Depot Rd, Salem, OH 44460.