Velma “Jo” Ruffer, 82

Velma “Jo” Ruffer, age 82, of Stryker, passed away early Sunday morning, July 13, 2014 at the Community Hospital and Wellness Center in Bryan.

Jo was born in Defiance on May 29, 1932, the daughter of William and Sarah (Roehrig) Steingass. On April 4, 1954 she married Jack M. Ruffer, and he preceded her in death in 2006. She was a member of the Stryker United Methodist Church. Jo enjoyed music and especially playing the organ. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Surviving are four children, Sandra Bostater of Bryan, Terry (Marsha) Ruffer, Ned (Connie) Ruffer and Ben (Dawn) Ruffer, all of Stryker. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Jordan (Tracy) Ruffer, Kamilla (Justin) Houk, Brady Ruffer, Shannon Kimpel, Brittany (Justin) Mason, Justin (Shaley) Ruffer, Colin Ruffer, Parker Ruffer and Lauren and Brooke Ruffer; great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Miley Mason, Jaxon and Emery Jones, Jaelyn and Brayton Houk and Sylar and Saegan Ruffer. Additional survivors are brothers-in-law, Bill Dunno of Defiance, Bill Stuckey of Bryan, and Jim Ruffer of Stryker; sisters-in-law, Marion Steingass of Defiance, Joyce Smith of Bryan and Myrtle Ruffer of Stryker; step-grandchildren, Ben, Eric, and Tyler Woolace; and seven step-great-grandchildren. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, David, granddaughter, Melissa Jean, sisters, Virginia Steingass, Irene Zacharich and Ivaloo Dunno, and brother, Dale Steingass.

Visitation for Jo will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the Grisier Funeral Home in Stryker. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday at the Stryker United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. James Ernst, officiating. Interment will follow in the Poplar Ridge Cemetery, near Defiance. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to the church.