Ruth M. Baldwin, 95 of Sarasota FL, formerly of New Boston, IL, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Nichols Bewley Funeral Home in Aledo, IL. A visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with the service immediately following. A luncheon at the Aledo United Methodist Church will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home on the date of the service or sent to the family in advance, and will be donated to Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota and Ruth’s favorite ministries. Please share your love, memories and support with Ruth’s family on her Memorial Tribute site at www.NicholsBewley.com.
Ruth May Dunham was born on October 28, 1929, in Masonville, IA, the youngest of the five children of George Bierer and Ella May Miller Dunham. She married Charles E. Baldwin on December 25, 1946, in Masonville.
Ruth and Chuck moved to Illinois and farmed in Bay Island until 1975. After retiring from farming, they moved to the “New Boston curve” on Route 17 where they resided until they moved to Brookstone of Aledo in 2022. After Chuck’s passing, Ruth moved to Sarasota where she resided with her daughter, recently moving to 81 Oaks Assisted Living and, finally, Tidewell Hospice House.
Ruth and Chuck played music together and with friends and family all of their lives. She loved playing the accordion, cooking, and baking. Her neighbors and friends especially enjoyed receiving her homemade bread and holiday treats. She had a passion for quilting and over the years, completed over ten beautifully hand-quilted blankets for her children and grandchildren.
Ruth had a deep faith in the Lord, and loved her family with her whole heart.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, June (Jerry) DeRoo of Sarasota, Jean (Tom) Gronewald of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Julie Hall of Sarasota, and Jodi (Ron) Taylor of Gladstone, MO; eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren and one lovingly expected.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers, one sister, and one son in infancy.