In Memory
Ruth E. (Schiecke) Downey
July 28, 1921 – July 1, 2006
Ruth E. (Schiecke) Downey, 84, of New Carlisle, IN, passed away at 12:14 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2006, in Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Ruth was born on July 28, 1921, in Berlin, Germany, to Erich and Betty (Wenzel) Schiecke. She was formerly employed as a librarian with the New Carlisle Olive Township Public Library, the St. Joseph County Public Library, and the South Bend School Corporation Library Services.
On November 14, 1941, in South Bend, IN, as Ruth E. Schiecke, she married Clement Hughes Downey Jr., who preceded her in death on June 18, 1993. Also preceding her in death were her parents, and her stepfather, Harry C. Guernsey.
Survivors include two daughters, Gretchen D. Kessler of New Carlisle, IN, and Neal Lynne (Lloyd “Joe”) Stiles of South Bend, IN; four grandchildren, Jack Joseph Kessler, Kevin Lee Kessler, Leah Ruth Kessler and Mary Elizabeth Harper; and five great-grandchildren, Ethan, Abigail, Emily Rose, R. Joseph and Hannah.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2006, in the Hamilton Church on Chicago Trail outside of New Carlisle. Entombment and committal services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 201 South Filbert Street, New Carlisle, IN, and for one hour prior to services in the Hamilton Church on Friday. Ruth had a lifelong love of horses.In her younger years, she was a well-known area trainer, equestrian and riding instructor. She and her stepfather operated the Riviera Riding Stables in South Bend.
Memorial contributions may be made to Reins of Life Therapeutic Horseback Riding of Michiana, 55200 Quince Road, South Bend, IN 46619
Article from 04 Jul 2006 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)
Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com
02/04/2026 EJS
|