Mrs. Ruth Caraker

Mildred Ruth Caraker Age: 84 years A former resident of Vienna, Illinois. Passed away Tuesday evening, July 31, 2012, at 7:45 PM at the Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis, Illinois. Ruth was born July 28, 1928 in Belknap, Illinois. She was the daughter of Clella Thorne and Opal (Bost) Thorne. Ruth was united in marriage to Charles Robert Caraker on September 29, 1945 in Vienna, Illinois. He preceded her in death in January 1953. Survivors include: A Son & Daughter-in-Law – Doug & Terri Caraker of Vienna, IL A Daughter – Frances Howard of Metropolis, IL 7 Grandchildren – Patrick & Tana Howard of Paducah, KY Jodie & Todd Thane of Denver, CO Amy & Carl Manley of Metropolis, IL Jamie & Jessie Caraker of Vevay, IN Tracy Caraker of Vienna, IL Travis Caraker of Ocala, FL Heather & Justin Gurley of Vienna, IL 12 Great Grandchildren – Matt, Lauren, Joshua, Emma, Keilie, Keanan, Bobby, Jessica, Seth, Paycee, Savannah, & Wyatt 2 Sisters & Brothers-in-Law – Alice & Art Schultz of Midlothian, IL Norma & Robert Lane of Browning, IL A Brother – Denny Skelton of Vienna, IL A Step Sister – Irene Canfield of Garden Valley, ID A Daughter-in-Law – Vicki Caraker Erwin of Vienna, IL Nieces and Nephews Ruth was preceded in death by: Her Parents – Clella Thorne and Opal (Bost) Thorne Skelton Her Husband – Charles Robert Caraker A Son – Earl Gene Caraker A Great Grandson – Aaron Thane A Brother – Bobby Gene Thorne An Infant Brother – Lloyd Douglas Thorne A Step Brother – Jimmy Skelton In her youth, Ruth had worked as a restaurant waitress. She was a devoted homemaker and loved tending her flowers, gardening, and canning. Ruth had a deep love for children and provided child care in her home for many families over the years. Ruth is remembered fondly by many for “babysitting half of the children in Johnson County.” Ruth was of the Baptist faith. As a youth, she had attended the Belknap United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, August 4, 2012, at 1 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Tim Blankenship will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, west of Buncombe. Visitation will be from 10 AM – 1 PM Saturday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, PO Box 98, Vienna, IL 62995.

Mrs. Ruth Caraker

July 28, 1928 - July 31, 2012