Ruth Adell Amato, age 67 of Delaware went to her brand new home to join Jesus on Thursday evening, April 23, 2009 at the OSU Medical Center surrounded by her earthly family.

She was born on December 28, 1941 in Lorain to the late Howard and Genevieve (Beck) Riffee. Moving from Lorain, Ruth spent most of her childhood in Lykens, Ohio, later moving to Marion, where she graduated from Harding High School with the Class of 1959.

On July 2, 1971, Ruth married Larry J. Amato in Marion; together they shared 38 wonderful years, living in Delaware for the past 30 years. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, she lived life to the fullest.

Ruth was an accomplished guitarist and singer, playing and singing with the praise and worship team at Berlin Presbyterian Church. She also was a member of the "3-Cheers" singing trio and traveled with her daughter and sister, for as long as her health permitted. She was a frequent guest on her sister's TV39 program in Marion (Manna Ministries Church of the Air) and was known simply as "Miss Guitar".

She celebrated her artistic talents in drawing cartoons and other fine pieces of art. Ruth loved to golf with her husband, Larry, and became quite a "Duffer" herself. Belonging to a euchre club in Delaware, Ruth enjoyed her card games. An avid Buckeye fan, she enjoyed many exciting games with her "Buckeye Buddy" grandson Tony.

During Ruth's school years in Marion, she was quite entertaining with her skits of "Minnie Pearl" and later became involved in the Marion Little Theatre Group both in designing scenery and acting in a few plays.

She loved her church, Valley View Friends Church in Delaware, where she attended. Ruth retired from UTU, United Transportation Union in 1999 as secretary/office manager.

Vivacious and at times ornery, she was happiest praising her Lord and Savior. Ruth endeared herself to everyone who knew her and served the Lord with fever, lending her helping hand whenever needed. Most proud of her family and their accomplishments, she lived her daily life by the Apostle's Creed.

Surviving along with her husband Larry, are her daughter Pastor Jenni (Richard) Sirgo, Grandson Tony Amato of Columbus, brother Larry (Katherine) Riffee of Ozark, AL, sister Reverend Naomi Riffee Beckel, nephew Bishop Tom Beckel, niece Lisa (Ron) Ambrose of Marion, sister-in-law Virginia (Amato) Davis of Richwood, brother-in-law Frank (Dottie) Amato of Delaware, 12 nephews, 4 nieces, and a host of grand nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by sister Rosemary Riffee, brother Milford Butch Riffee, 3 brothers-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, and 3 grand nieces.