Ruth Porter

Ruth Ann Porter, 84, of Pana, went home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Pana Health & Rehab, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born at home on October 21, 1941, to parents Merle and Emma Bernice Coleman. On April 1, 1962, Ruth Ann married the love of her life, Gerald Porter, beginning a marriage that would last more than fifty years. She worked at Mallory's and in the dietary department of Pana Community Hospital before embracing her most treasured role as a homemaker and mother in 1979.
Ruth Ann came from a generation that believed in taking care of what you had and making things last. She carried that example throughout her life, not only in the home she so lovingly maintained, but in the relationships she nurtured and the people she held dear. She was deeply proud of her family, the life she had built, and her beloved hometown of Pana.
When Ruth Ann believed in something, she believed with her whole heart. As a faithful member of First Baptist Church for most of her life, her prayers were a constant expression of love for those around her. She refrained from giving judgement and had the ability to see the good in nearly everything and everyone around her.
She had a soft spot for every animal that crossed her path. If something was hungry, she wanted to feed it. If someone needed help, she wanted to give it. She had a way of putting everyone else's needs before her own, often without giving it a second thought. Her kindness wasn't something she talked about. It was simply how she lived.
She often said, “I was born in Pana, and I will die in Pana. And there’s nowhere else I want to spend my life.” For Ruth Ann, a beautiful life wasn't measured by how far you traveled, but by how deeply you loved the place you called home. While others dreamed of seeing the world, she found a world of happiness right where she was, surrounded by familiar places and the people who made them special. She never needed much more than that.
She loved a hot-fudge sundae from Dairy Queen on a summer afternoon, the warmth of sunshine on her legs as she swayed on the back porch swing, and the familiar songs she would hum and play by ear on her dining-room organ. She endured years of whatever crazy adventure her daughter came up with, even if it meant being photographed with ridiculous Snapchat filters. Those little moments, filled with laughter and love, are the ones that will be missed the most.
Her life was not one of grand adventures or extraordinary accomplishments by the world's standards, but it was a beautiful life, well lived. She loved her family, kept her faith, and found joy in the ordinary days that make up a lifetime. Her warm smile and sweet spirit will be remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her. And for the people who loved her most, the world will never feel quite the same without her in it.
Ruth Ann is survived by her daughter, Amanda B. Skinner of Pana, IL; grandson, Zach Skinner (Skyler Davis) of Decatur, IL; brother-in-law, Robert Turntine of Jacksonville, FL; and her loving nieces, Debbie (Paul) Godwin, Dianna (George) Johnson, Cathy Lehman, and Julie (John) Curran, all of Jacksonville, FL.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Porter; father, Merle Coleman; mother, Emma Bernice Hicks Coleman; sister, Rose Mary Turntine; niece in infancy, Tammy Turntine; and nephew-in-law, Ralph Lehman.
Funeral Arrangements
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home in Pana. Funeral services will be held at 11 am at the funeral home, with Pastor Jeff Hurst officiating. Burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery in Pana.
Memorial donations may be made to Pana Pride (P.O. Box 166 Pana, IL), in honor of Ruth Ann's lifelong love for her hometown and the community she was so proud to call home.