Memorial services for Ruth Gonhue, 98, of Coupeville, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Coupeville United Methodist Church with The Rev. Jin Ming Ma officiating. Private inurnment will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Bow Cemetery with The Rev. Hobart Hildyard officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow the memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

Ruth died Jan. 12, 2009 in Coupeville. She was born in Marysville, Wash., to Elizabeth and Silas Lockhart. She graduated from Marysville High School in 1928 and attended Bellingham Normal School from 1928 to 1929. Ruth began her teaching career in September 1929 in two one-room schools in southern Washington. She returned back home to teach in Marysville for 30 more years.

Ruth married Wesley Gonhue, a baker, on July 2, 1937. Their home was on 40 acres east of Ruth’s family home where they hobby farmed on the side. They bought 100 feet of beach property on Whidbey Island from Ruth’s uncle, Herman Wanamaker, soon after their marriage, and later built a home in Coupeville. Both retired, they sold the farm and moved to their new home in June 1973. Their church membership was transferred from Marysville Methodist Church to the Coupeville Methodist Church. Wesley passed away in 1995 after 58 happy years together.

Ruth did volunteer work in the church and served on several committees, was a member of the Audubon Society, the Historical Society, and Senior Services of Island County.

Ruth is survived by many nieces and nephews. Ruth enjoyed many family gatherings with five generations of her family together.

Memorials may be made to the Coupeville United Methodist Church Yard Fund, or the American Cancer Society.