Ruth M. Smisko, 76, died peacefully at home Saturday, February 13, 2010 surrounded by her loving family.

Ruth was born February 23, 1933 in Wheeling W.Va. to Joseph and Kathleen Kaltenbach. She graduated from Mt. de Chantel High School and Seton Hill College with a BA in Chemistry. While working as a chemist at PPG Industries, she met her husband of 55 years, Joe Smisko. Parents of four children in New Martinsville, W.Va., they moved to Wadsworth, Ohio in 1973. Ruth shared her passion for learning as a Chemistry and Algebra teacher at Our Lady of the Elms High School in Akron. After over ten years of teaching, her love of books led her to a part-time position at the Wadsworth Public Library.

Ruth’s knowledge, curiosity, talents and energy resulted in a life of contributions to Church and Community. She included civic leadership, children’s activities, and the welfare of women among the many ways she served others. Ruth always felt her friends and neighbors were great blessings. Her example of action and closeness with God inspires her children and grandchildren to emulate her life.

Ruth is survived by her husband Joe, her children Dan (Nancy), Betsy (Hugh) Wunderlich, Marianne (Rick) Brucker, and Kate (Kirk) Cahill. The most recent joys of her life are her eight grandchildren: Ted and Joe Wunderlich, Anne, Meg, and Samantha Brucker, and Sarah, Alex, and Max Cahill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 260 Broad Street, Wadsworth, Ohio, 44281, Fr. Joseph L. Labak, Celebrant. Friends may call Friday, 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman Street, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281, where Rosary will be recited 7:30 PM Friday. Memorial donations may be made to Lyme Disease Association of SE Pennsylvania or Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) Foundation.