Ruth V. Spalding

In love and light, Ruth V. Spalding left this earth December 31, 2024 at her home in Copeland Oaks, Sebring, Ohio. She lived 101 remarkable, joyful years.

Ruth was born in Salem, Ohio, on October 4, 1923, to Roy C. and Christina West. She grew up in Salem and was a 1940 graduate of Salem High School, where she met and fell in love with Wilbur Spalding. She attended Kent State University, then transferred to the University of Rochester Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She and Wilbur were married August 28, 1943, while Wilbur was in flight training during WWII. Immediately following their marriage, he served in the 14th Army Air Force “Flying Tigers” in China, while Ruth continued her education and graduated from Eastman in 1944.

Wilbur thankfully returned home at war’s end, whereupon the couple moved to Alliance, Ohio. Over the years, as Ruth and Wilbur enjoyed their lives together, they welcomed five children. In addition to being a busy full-time parent, Ruth shared her beautiful singing voice with the community. A member of the Union Avenue United Methodist Church for over 70 years, she was a longtime choir member, regularly sang solos, and later took part in the bell choir as well. Over the years she sang at many area weddings and funerals, and taught piano and voice lessons from her home. In July of 1966 Ruth sang a solo at the first groundbreaking of what became Copeland Oaks, where she lived happily for the last 19 years! Beginning in her 50’s, Ruth took an interest in spirituality and yoga, which she studied, practiced, and shared throughout the rest of her life, for several years teaching yoga classes at the Alliance YMCA. She loved spending parts of her summers at Chautauqua, NY, and Lilydale, NY. 

“We are all here to learn!” was a central tenet of Ruth’s life. Her willingness to listen and understand, her sense of humor, and her insights on life touched countless people. At a gathering in celebration of her 100th birthday in 2023, she recited a 1901 poem by Maltbie Davenport Babcock that she learned in grade school, exhorting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to “shun not the struggle, ‘tis God’s gift!” She was and remains an example to all of us in how to live our lives. We have been blessed to have witnessed her ministry of music, as well as her being our mother, friend, teacher, and guide. We will all miss her presence.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Wilbur, as well as by her brothers Hugh and James West, and by her daughter Shanna and grandson Matthew Blank. 

She is survived by her children, Barbara Jo (Andrew) Auvil, Robert (Dr. Janice) Spalding, Thomas Spalding (Diana Munsch), Benjamin (Kristin) Spalding; grandchildren, Christopher (Susan) Auvil, Cecily (Robert) Harness, Adam (Angie) Auvil, Hanne (Holt) Blank Boyd, Steven (Amy) Spalding, Bethany (Daniel) Yoder, Aubrey Spalding, Rachel Spalding, Ryan Spalding, Evan Spalding, Ian Spalding, and Faith Spalding; and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family extends our deep gratitude to Aultman (Alliance) Hospice, the Copeland Oaks organization, and especially to the care team at Ruth’s assisted living apartment. We are thankful for the love, patience and care she received throughout her nearly 20 years at Copeland.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Union Avenue United Methodist Church, 1843 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH, 44601, or to The Oaks Foundation, 715 S. Johnson Road, Sebring, OH, 44672.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be posted on the funeral home’s website.