Ruth Marscine Vandever

Ruth Marscine Vandever, 86, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Friday, June 8, 2018, at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home.

Ruth was born March 1, 1932, in Hominy, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Martin McKinley and Evah Mae (Hoover) Willard. At the age of four, Ruth moved with her family to Cleveland. She began her education in Cleveland and later graduated with the Class of 1950. Following graduation, Ruth started working at Tiny’s Café a local diner on Main Street in Cleveland, during this time she worked as a waitress. On March 1, 1953, Ruth was united in marriage to Kenneth Merle Vandever known as “Red.” Following the couple’s wedding, they established their home in Cleveland. Ruth and Red continued to reside in Cleveland where they raised their family.

Ruth was very much into making sure others were first in her life. She always enjoyed the opportunity to listen to others and give advice however she would always end with “now what do you think is the right thing to do”. Going to family events was what she looked forward to and the fourth of July was one of her favorites. She loved the lights and sparkles but could do without the loud bangs. If Ruth invited you out to eat you could be sure that she would pay. She also enjoyed working in the garden and growing flowers she also enjoyed playing games, upwords, dominoes and cards of all kinds. Ruth was very sentimental concerning her kids and grandkids. She had numerous items that had either been made or about them all over her home. She was a very active and independent woman; mowing her yard until recently.

Survivors are her six children Merla Ruth Pittman of Denton, Texas, Kenneth Merle Vandever, Jr. and his wife Charlotte R. of Terlton, Oklahoma, Steven McKinley Vandever and his wife Leslie Ann of Camino, California, Marcia Dee Vandever of Tulsa, Oklahoma, John Monroe Vandever and his wife Carrie Ann of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Molly Jane Vandever of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; sister Deloris White of Portland, Oregon; six grandchildren Patrick, Nathan, Crystal, Kendall, Nicole, Heather; two great grandchildren Vincent and Xander as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth “Red’ Vandever, four sisters, Hazel Josephine Porter, Mildred Juanita Smith, Sarah Oleta Miller, Birdie Claudeen Jackson, and four brothers, Troy Martin Willard, Louis Wayne Willard, Joseph William Willard and Ralph Willard.