Eleanor Ruth Penrod

Eleanor Ruth Penrod, 73, of Tilton, Ill. joined her Heavenly Father in His Kingdom on April 21, 2009. She passed from this world peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones.

God saw Ruth getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around her and whispered "come to Me". With tearful eyes we watched her, and saw her pass away, and though we love her dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us... he only takes the best.

Eleanor "Ruth" was born on Sept. 30, 1935 in Sandborn, the daughter of Woodrow and Hilda Mae (Burch) Elkins. She married Willard Penrod Sr. on July 17, 1954 in Clinton, Ind. He survives.

She is also survived by four sons- Willard Penrod Jr. of Tilton, George (Diane) Penrod of Danville, Karl (Sandy) Penrod of West Lebanon, and James (Patricia) Penrod of Danville; two daughters, Linda (Charlie) Cole of Paoli, Indiana and Claire (Steve) Matheny of Danville; one brother- Donnie (Jackie) Elkins of Kodak, Tenn.; three sisters- Thelma Archer of Stinesville, Bonnie Skinner of Bloomfield, and LaVerne "Bobbie" (Bill) Franklin of Linton, Indiana; 14 grandchildren, Keith, Zoey, and Jim Penrod, Shawn and Matthew Frost, Angela Andies, Jessica Cole, Laura (Gene) Hall, Tamra (Clay) Dugger, Tiffany Juvinall, Caleb, Sarah, and Tyler Finley, and Listia Lyons; several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother- Mallie Elkins, one sister- Vercie Osborne, one grandson, Specialist Justin Owen Penrod and one granddaughter, Emily Marie Penrod. Also preceeding her in death was her best friend of 50 years, Mildred Spenser.

Ruth was a devoted Christian and attended the Olivet Church of the Nazarene. She loved being surrounded by friends and family -- especially her children and grandchildren. Ruth volunteered at North Logan Healthcare in Danville, Illinois. She enjoyed visiting with residents and assisting with activities at the nursing home. Ruth never met a stranger and loved to share a good story. She filled her days with rummage sales, shopping, country music, and traveling with her sister, Thelma. At night you could find her curled up with a Mary Higgins Clark book and her loving canine companion, Shelby.

A celebration of Ruth's life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2009, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, Ill. with Pastor James Blue officiating.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Sandborn Cemetery in Sandborn Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.