Ruth "Mary" (Gage) Garcia
January 17, 1936 — October 4, 2015
OTTAWA – Ruth “Mary” Garcia, age 79, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday evening, October 4, 2015 at Rivershores Care and Rehabilitation Center in Marseilles.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Leon McClimans officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. till service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Private entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.
Mary was born January 17, 1936 in Marseilles, the daughter of Lloyd “Bun” and Edna (Dyer) Gage. She married Robert “Jake” Garcia March 26, 1965 at the First Congregational Church in Marseilles. Surviving are her husband of 50 years, Jake, of Ottawa; her children, Mark (Norma) Sweet of Ottawa, Rhonda (Dale) Roketa of Shorewood, and Lisa (Bob) Landis of Ottawa; her grandchildren, Travis (Erica) Donovan, Benjamin Sweet, Shane Donovan, Drake Roketa, and Alexis Landis; her sisters, Sharon (Frank) Fenoglio of Marseilles, Carol (Rodney) Juergensen of Marseilles, Darlene Gage of Streator, and La Rieu (Larry) Ried of Marseilles; a sister in-law, Mary Gage of Marseilles; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Ronald Joseph Sweet; a daughter, Cherie Sweet; and two brothers, Bob and Jerry Gage.
Mary was a librarian at Jefferson Elementary School and she loved reading to children to nurture and encourage their interest in reading. After retiring from Jefferson Elementary School, Mary worked at the Daily Times and First Federal. She was an avid bridge player, sometimes participating in 3 bridge clubs in one day. Mary also loved to swim and travel. In their later years, Mary and Jake could often be found at Allen Park or Washington Park, reading the newspaper and enjoying the weather. Mary was devoted to her family and cherished her time spent with them.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimers Foundation.