Ruth Van Dusen

Ruth Van Dusen, 96, formerly of Viola, died Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Mercer County Nursing Home, Aledo. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery. Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. She was born Feb. 22, 1912, in Lacon, Ill., the daughter of Harley and Emily Songer. She married Orville Van Dusen Nov. 18, 1929, in Rock Island. He died Sept. 28, 1987. Ruth was a homemaker. In her younger years, she worked at the Archway Cookie Factory. She was a member of the Apostolic Pentacostal Church in Henry, Ill. Survivors include her five daughters (and spouses), Nadine Wakefield, Moline, Evelyn (John) Dubree, Galesburg, Pat (Robert) Bridgeforth, Xenia, Ill., Betty Marshall, Viola, and Colleen (Dan) Einfeldt, Rock Island; one son (and spouse), Sherman (Genny) Van Dusen, Aledo; 28 grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; and 54 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orville; daughter, Ethel Van Dusen; two brothers; and two sisters. Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.