Schwarting, Ruby R.

Ruby R. Schwarting, 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Virginia Gay Nursing & Rehab in Vinton following a brief illness. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton with Pastor Clarke E. Frederick officiating. Interment: Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 East Sixth St., Vinton.

Ruby was born Feb. 6, 1919, in rural Williamsburg, the daughter of John and Ocie (Martin) Mc Callister. She attended country school in Iowa County. In 1938, she married Herman Schwarting. They moved to rural Benton County in 1942 where her husband worked for area farmers. In 1962, they moved to Vinton, where Ruby worked for 12 years at a nursing home followed by 32 years at the Iowa Braille & Sight Saving School before retiring at the age of 87.

Ruby enjoyed spending time with her family but also enjoyed reading, writing poetry, embroidering, gardening, watching TV and playing cards and bingo at the Vinton meal site. She was a hard worker and wonderful cook. She will be remembered for her delicious pies. Ruby was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton.

Survivors include three daughters, Janet (Delbert) Andrews of Strawberry Point, Harriet (Dick) Mahoney of Urbana and Judy (Dick) Howe of Vinton; and two sons, Jerry (Trudy) of Vinton and Tony (Theresa) of Rowley; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, William (Donna) Mc Callister of Marengo, Daryle (Lila) Mc Callister of Williamsburg and Donald (Marian) Mc Callister of Marion; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herman, on Jan. 10, 1981; brothers, Curtis, George and Wayne Mc Callister, sisters, Opal Conn, Eileen Wagner and Reita Butler; two grandsons, Ronald Mahoney and Mike Andrews;  one granddaughter, Brenda Kay Howe; a great-grandson, Jared Schwarting; and a great-granddaughter, Kelsi Franck.

A memorial has been established.

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