Ruby Marie (Weist) Godfrey, of Milan, was born May 10, 1927, the only child of John and Erma (Bidner) Weist. Ruby was born and grew up on the Manchester, Indiana, farm that had been in the Bidner, Weist, and Godfrey family for close to 100 years. While attending Manchester Township School, Ruby participated in the local 4-H program. She was a very active member and claimed the Grand Champion award in Dress Review for two consecutive years. Ruby also showed a talent for music at an early age, learning to play the piano, the accordion, and electric organ.
Besides the Manchester farming community, Ruby was also an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church. It was here that she was baptized on May 29, 1927, and later confirmed on June 1, 1941. She shared her musical talents with her church as a part-time organist for Sunday church services and was a teacher during the Sunday School hour. Ruby also donated her time to the community as a den mother for the local Cub Scout troop.
After graduating from Aurora High School in 1945, Ruby went to work for the Aurora State Bank, followed by Stedman Foundry. She was one of the first employee’s hired for the American Electric Power’s Tanners Creek Power Plant during its start up in 1951. Ruby was a dedicated employee of the company for 44 years, seeing them grow and transition to Indiana and Michigan Power. After retiring from I&M, she continued working at Tom Tepe Auto Center and later, the Argosy Riverboat Casino. During these later years, Ruby moved from her beloved community of Manchester, to Lawrenceburg, and recently to Ripley Crossing in Milan. She quietly passed away in the early morning hours of April 29, 2017.
Ruby’s memory will be cherished by her son, John Kenneth Godfrey, and his wife, Claudia Burgess Godfrey, of Incline Village, Nevada. Ruby was preceded in death by her beloved parents.
Friends may visit with Ruby’s family at Zion Lutheran Church, 10629 State Rd 48, Manchester, on Wednesday, May 3, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will continue until the time of service at 11:30 a.m. Pastor Susan Socha of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Milan, will officiate the funeral service. Following the service, Ruby will be laid to rest beside her parents in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Zion Cemetery Association. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Ruby Godfrey.