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Ruth J. (Tunila) Wiggers, 79 of Lincoln (formerly of Beason, IL and Wilkes Barre, PA), went home to be with her loving husband Marvin Wiggers on Saturday, September 28, 2013. Ruth was on vacation visiting her friend Tom LaVenda when she passed.

Ruth was born November 20, 1933 the daughter of John and Viola Tunila. Ruth grew up in Wilkes Barre, PA and graduated from Wilkes Barre Township High School in Wilkes Barre, PA. She moved to Washington D.C. after High School to attend Western Union Telegraph School and then moved to Illinois.

In Illinois, she worked at the Blue Dog Inn and the Heritage Inn as a waitress and also for Eaton Corporation (formerly known as Cutler Hammer). She met Marvin Wiggers and they were married on September 21, 1968 at the First United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Ruth and Marvin enjoyed dancing! They were members of the Hartsburg/Emden and Delevan Dance Clubs for many years. They traveled all 50 states in the Union together and Europe. Ruth was a 4-H leader for many years and enjoyed arts and crafts of all kinds. She was talented and loving and will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; her Sister Helen Lutkoski; Brothers Joe, Peter and Victor Tunila, and Step-Son Kevin Wiggers. She is survived by her Brother Edward Tunilia (Rita) of Wilke Barre, PA; Daughter Amy Chen (Nathan) of Brentwood, TN; her Sister in-Law Katherina Goldhammer, Lincoln, IL; Brother in-Law Milton Wiggers, Springfield, IL; Sister in-Law Cecilia Tunila, CT.; Step-Daughter Karen Sandel (John) of Lincoln, IL; Son Robert Awe Jr. (Jill) Lincoln; Daughter in-Law Carrie Wiggers of Indianapolis, IN.; Granddaughters Ashley and Kinsley Chen of Brentwood, TN; Shannon Doolin (Dan) of Emden, IL; and Courtney Awe; Grandsons Gregory Chen of Brentwood, TN, Matthew Sandel (Tessa) of IA, Israel Sandel of Lincoln and Clint Awe of Lincoln; Christian Sandel of Lincoln; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her friend Tom LaVenda, from Sacramento, CA.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the Susan G. Koman Foundation. Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln is handling the arrangements. The visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, from 4-8 at the First United Methodist Church, Lincoln, IL. Services will be at 10 AM on Saturday, October 5, 2013, at the church. Visitation will also be held an hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Hartsburg Union Cemetery in Hartsburg, IL.

We would also like to thank the LaVenda Family for all of their caring and support while Mom was visiting.