Obituary of Ruth A. Connelly

Ruth A. Connelly, 92, of Pennsylvania Furnace, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born June 20, 1923 in Williamsburg, she was the daughter of the late Irvin and Mable Hoover Rhodes. She married Frank Shadle Connelly on June 5, 1943. As a young couple they started farming in Chester County. In 1956 Frank and Ruth purchased Fairbrook Farms in Centre County. They were lifelong dairy farmers until their retirement in 1976. Ruth is survived by four children, Frank Connelly, Jr of Pennsylvania Furnace, Richard Connelly and his wife Karen of Warriors Mark, Ronald E. Connelly and his wife Denise of Pennsylvania Furnace, and Dolores Carver and her husband Durbin of Howard; five grandchildren, Brent Connelly of Madisonburg, Chris Connelly of Pennsylvania Furnace, Ryan Connelly of Warriors Mark, Lori Shippey of Warriors Mark, and Keri Phillips of Buckhannon, WV; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband Frank, Ruth was preceded in death by her two brothers, Eli and Cletus Rhodes, and one grandson, Timothy Connelly. Ruth was a 1941 graduate of Morrison’s Cove High School. Ruth was also employed by the American Heart Association and Ferguson Township Elementary School for several years. Ruth and Frank were charter members of Nittany Bible Church, Pennsylvania Furnace. They were involved with many agricultural organizations, including the Centre County Farm Bureau and the Centre County Ag. Forum. She enjoyed traveling, Penn State Football, Couple’s Club, and entertaining friends and family. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Nittany Bible Church, 461 Deibler Rd, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 with the Reverend Joe Rose officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service, from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be directed to Nittany Bible Church, 461 Deibler Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com