Ruth A. Girod

Ruth Alice Girod, follower of Christ, has been awaiting the journey to her eternal home in heaven, and she was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Thursday morning, June 18, 2026. Ruth's family is rejoicing that she is no longer in pain and has been reunited with loved ones who have gone before her, especially her husband David C. Girod and her son, David L. Girod.

She was born on July 23, 1930, at home, in rural Van Wert County, to Chester Clay and Grace Lucille (Stemen) Snyder.

"Ruthie" walked alongside her husband as he served in the army and then later as they embarked on their lifetime role as a farming family. Her life revolved around her family. Ruth deeply loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, her 'baby' sister, Jannie; nieces and nephews, the students she served at Lincolnview, and the children at church. Her love expanded to include friends of her children and grandchildren, and she was called either Mama Ruth or Grandma by a multitude of individuals up until the time she made the transition to heaven. Her face lit up with joy whenever she saw those who meant so much to her.

She worked as a farm wife and partner, a Guidance Counselor secretary at Lincolnview High School, a financial secretary at Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert, was an accounts payable/receivable clerk at the former Van Wert Gospel Gift Shop, and a volunteer extraordinaire wherever she could be of service.

Ruth had been a member of the former Grand Victory E.U.B. Church in rural Van Wert. Then in 1972, she joined Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert, currently Trinity Global Methodist Church. At Trinity, she belonged to the Missions Committee. Ruth had a passion for local, regional and worldwide missions/missionaries and served on this committee throughout her many years at Trinity. Nothing was more important than her faith, her family and her friends. Her faith was the foundation on which she built everything else in her life. Every night, she would go to the Lord in prayer, and the list was often a long one.

Ruth and Dave, and sometimes grandkids or other family members, enjoyed their annual fishing trips to Louisiana. As an avid Lincolnview Lancer fan, she loved going to ballgames over the years and, more recently, to the sporting events of her great-grandchildren. If there was a vehicle headed somewhere, she wanted to be in it. If a vacation plan included an airplane, she wanted to be on it, even up to the age of 93.

Ruthie, also known as Rufus to her husband and other family members, rarely met a cookie that she didn't like. She was the ultimate cookie monster and considered cookies the most important food group.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Ellen (Larry) Dove of Van Wert; a son, Dean Girod of Van Wert; her grandchildren, Kari Casto, Stephanie (Eric) Bulington, Kristin Girod, Megan Knittle, Felecia (Harold) Spangler, Derek Sneed, Alyssa Sneed, Kimberly (Scott) Campbell, Luke (Andrea Neiberg) Girod, Laura (Ryan) Clementz and Caleb Girod; Step-grandchildren, Jennifer Sneed, Sherie (Alex) Noble; 30 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Janice Adams; a sister in law, Wileta Collins; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 69 years, David Clifford Girod; a son, David L. Girod; a brother, Dale Snyder; and a sister, Mildred Buechner.

The life of Ruth Girod can be summarized by her commitment to her faith, her family and her friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Trinity Global Methodist Church with Rev. David To, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Ridge Cemetery, Middle Point, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. Also, one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Preferred memorials may be directed to Trinity Global Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.

Services have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington St, Van Wert, Ohio.