Mrs. Ruth Mildred Corbin

SELINSGROVE — Ruth M. (Ketterer) Corbin, 91, of Selinsgrove, passed away peacefully in her apartment at Grayson View Assisted Living on Monday, May 13, 2013, as the result of chronic, progressive heart disease. She was born Jan. 28, 1922, in Pittsburgh , a daughter of the late Otto P. and Otillia (Kelm) Ketterer. Ruth graduated from Oliver High School and worked as a secretary prior to her wedding on Sept. 15, 1942, to Frank C. Corbin, of Pittsburgh , who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. They remained in Pittsburgh , where they had two sons, Frank Jr. (1945) and David P. (1947), and where Ruth and her husband celebrated 56 years of marriage before his death in 1998. She enjoyed music, sewing, flower gardening, housekeeping and keeping in touch with many friends. Ruth was a lifelong Lutheran, and the two major joys of her life were her family and her church affiliation. She especially loved all her grandchildren, once they arrived! Ruth was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland for almost 50 years, where she served on many lay committees and also volunteered in various capacities. When her sons were teenagers, Ruth began working at the Lutheran Synod Office of Pittsburgh as a secretary to the Bishop. She really enjoyed her position there, completing 20 years on the job before she retired. After losing her husband, Ruth remained in their home in Pittsburgh and became active in a widows’ group called the Halos, making many good friends and enjoying their social outings. But in 2006, at age 84, she decided to sell her house and downsize to an apartment. Since son David and his wife, Mary, lived in a fairly remote area north of Pittsburgh without easy access to church, shopping, and elder housing, Ruth chose to move to the town of Selinsgrove to be near her son Frank and his wife, Barbara, who were both high school teachers in the area. They had lived in Selinsgrove for thirty years, raising sons Sean and Brendan there, so Ruth had visited many times and was familiar with the town. That made it a little easier to leave her beloved Pittsburgh . Also helpful was meeting new people at the Pennsfield Apts. for seniors where she lived, and joining Sharon Lutheran Church soon after moving in, making new friends there as well. Ruth is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Barbara (Clifford) Corbin, of Selinsgrove, and David and Mary (Bagnato) Corbin, of Volant; three grandchildren and spouses, Sean Corbin, of California, Brendan and Tina (O’Neill) Corbin, of New Jersey, Rachel Corbin and husband Chris Manelopoulos, of North Carolina; two stepgrandsons, Anthony Brosneck, of Imperial, and Aaron and Candace (Bloomberg) Brosneck, of Ohio; five stepgreat-grandchildren, Brendan’s stepchildren, Jack and Kate McElree, of New Jersey, and Corbin, Meagan, and MaryJo Brosneck, of Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, an aunt, a sister-in-law, and many good friends. Ruth was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Eugene Ketterer, and one sister, Edith (Ketterer) Mielke. Viewings for friends and family will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Simon’s Funeral Home, Inc., 7720 Perry Hwy. , Pittsburgh . A funeral church service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland , 311 Cumberland Road , Pittsburgh , with Pastor Kari Smail officiating. Burial will be in Allegheny County Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Ruth’s name to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be shared, and photos viewed, at www.simonsfuneralhomeinc.com.

Mrs. Ruth Mildred Corbin

January 28, 1922 - May 13, 2013