Ruth Badertscher taught school for 38 years
Ruth G. Badertscher, 93, died Oct. 24, 2018. Ruth was born Nov. 23, 1924, in Bluffton to the late Charles and Sophie (Geha) Hankish. On July 18, 1959, she married James Badertscher who preceded her in death on April 8, 2016.
Ruth graduated from Bluffton High School and obtained her bachelor's and master’s degree in Business Administration and Business Education from Bowling Green State University.
She taught school for 38 years, teaching at Wauseon, Ada, Lorain, Beaverdam and the last 20 years of her career at Bath High School. Ruth was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bluffton. She was also member of the Telesis Club and volunteered at the Mennonite Memorial Home Meals on Wheels program. Ruth's favorite motto was "Hugs are free."
Survivors include several nieces, nephews, in-laws and many special "favorite" friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by six siblings, Peter "Gene" Hankish, Theda Hankish, Rita Hallett, Charles Hankish, Jr., Geneva Watters and Janice Rhodes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton. Father John Stites officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton following the service.
Visitation will be Sunday from 2 - 6 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services - Bluffton where a wake service will be held at 6 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, St. Mary's Catholic Church or Maple Crest Senior Living Center, Bluffton.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 26
- September 26 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- State Patrol investigates serious injury crash involving ambulance
- Weekend Doctor: What is a DO?
- Distance runner Chappell-Dick to be inducted in EMU Hall of Honor
- October Business Collective with Bluffton Food Pantry
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 25
- Clay, community, and the classroom
- Pirate volleyball loss vs. Crestview
- Pirate girls soccer win vs. Allen East
- Janine Elizabeth (Minnich) Millager, 87, was a lab technician
- Send October 2026 calendar events to the Icon
- New time for Planning and Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow meetings, Sept 29
- Pirate boys golf 10th at sectionals
- Fall Festival activities are all over Bluffton, Sept. 26
Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Marilyn Florence (Brunn) Osting, 94, was a nurse
- Paul Richard Wingate Jr., 79, worked for the Lima Ford Engine Plant
- Ada Icon headlines, Sept. 24
- Roundabouts celebrated for crash reduction
- Scarecrow competition for Bluffton businesses
- Hello, Goodbye: Diphenhydramine for allergies
- 5th Annual MHCO Gala will Roll Out the Red Carpet
- Funeral notice for Mary Louise Reddick
- ODNR urges caution during fall wildfire season
- Nursing student to share clinical research at First Tuesday in the Library
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Chamber members take a lesson from Jacomet's Martial Arts
- Proud of your pie? Sept. 26 apple pie baking contest
- Save November 6-7 for Holiday Open House
- Friends of the Library book sale, Sept. 24-26
- Pirate girls golf places 6th at sectionals
- Pirate volleyball outlasts Grove
- Bluffton tennis wins on consecutive nights
- Pirate boys soccer edged by Liberty Center