NAPPANEE - Marilyn Louise Ruiz, 54, of 326 Pinecroft, Nappanee, died at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 2010, in her daughter's residence in South Bend, after a long battle with cancer.
She was born June 21, 1955, in Elkhart, to Delbert and Eva Beverly Spicher. She married Ronald Ruiz, Nappanee, who survives.
A lifetime area resident, she attended NorthWood High School. She was a truck driver for Warner Enterprises and Kingman Freight Lines. She also worked at the Boys/Girls Club, Nappanee, and in sales at Z Computer, South Bend.
Also surviving are two daughters, Shanna (and spouse Kenny) Griggs, South Bend, and Stacy Cowles (and fiance Dan Kern), Etna Green; a son, Kenny Cowles, South Bend; a stepdaughter, Angela (and spouse Dwayne) Schultz, Rensselaer; and 11 grandchildren: Kyle, Kelsey and Kali Haas; Kyle Griggs; Daniel, Austin and Zachary Tucker; Nolan and Conner Schultz; and Alana and Tyler Kern.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, with Pastor Odell Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Island Chapel Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
