Ruth Ann Irene Salisbury Obituary (1938 - 2024)

Ruth Ann Irene Salisbury, age 85 of Henry, IL, formerly of Sparland, IL, passed away on Jan. 13, 2024 at Carle Methodist Hospital in Peoria. She was born July 17, 1938 in Secor, IL to Carl and Velma (Waldron) Hancher. She married Robert Wayne Salisbury at the Saratoga Methodist Church in rural Henry on Sept. 16, 1956. He preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 2003. Ruth Ann graduated from Sparland High School in 1956. She and Bob farmed and raised their family in rural Sparland. She last worked for Country Companies in Bloomington, IL until her retirement. Ruth Ann was a former treasurer for Sparland School District, was a Farm Bureau member and was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. She enjoyed gardening and shopping. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She is survived by four children, Deborah (late David) Mertes of Henry, Kathleen (Steven) Hagerstrom of Sparland, R. Charles (Cindy) Salisbury of Henry and Randall (Denise) Salisbury of Sparland; 12 grandchildren, Virginia (Clint) Rampy, Melissa (Paul) Jury, Scott (Juanita) Calder, Rebecca (Jarrod) Lester, Lisa Calder, Ian (Danielle) Calder, Jessica Fountain, Robert (Bethany) Salisbury, Michelle Salisbury, Sarah Salisbury, Jayden (Taylor) Salisbury, Charles M. Salisbury; 14 great-grandchildren, Dalton, Alannah and Brendan Lester, Alexandria, Kyleigh and Brooklyn Calder, Ty and Jace Rampy, Adalyn and Graysen Fountain, Emma and Annalise Calder, Anna and Miles Salisbury and Everly Salisbury; one sister, Carol (Ron) Trubilowitcz of Murphfreesboro, TN; four nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews. Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Salisbury; her parents, Carl and Velma Hancher; her in-laws, Howard and Maezella Salisbury; one sister, Dorothy Frye; two sons-in-law, Kenneth Davis and David Mertes; one grandson, Kenneth Michael Davis; one great-granddaughter, Dorie Calder; one great-grandson, George Salisbury; and three nephews, Kyle Heinz, Dann Gray and David Gray. Visitation will be on Sat., Jan. 20, 2024, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Henry. John Hopwood and Terry Broady will officiate. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Henry City Cemetery in Henry. Memorials may be made to MSW Projects, Henry; Putnam Christian Church, Putnam; or Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria.