She passed peacefully in her sleep at her daughter, Mary Edward's, home in rural Saxton, Pennsylvania. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.
She was born in Tarrs, Pennsylvania at her grandmother's home and delivered by a mid-wife. Her mother kept her birth a secret for a very long time because she was in the process of a divorce and baby Ruth was born out of Wedlock. While she was pregnant Mary's mom and sister's always made sure there were sheets hung between the house and the outhouse so neighbors wouldn't know she was pregnant. Doctor Poole came by and checked Mary, but said she would be a while and went to see other patients. Unfortunately he did not make it back in time for Eleanor Ruth's birth, so no birth certificate was issued. A neighbor acted as the midwife.
Mary's family was embarrassed that Mary conceived and birthed a child after her husband left her. They tried to hide the pregnancy and birth. While she was pregnant they kept sheets hanging between the basement door and the outhouse. After Ruth was born, they would hide her under the kitchen table in a basket. She was a very quiet baby, so for a very long time no one knew there was a baby in the house.
The 1930 Federal census give Eleanor's last name as SMITH because that was her mother's married name. While she was still an infant her mother filed a paternity suit in the Greensburg court. The court found Albert Oliver Buechler to be the biological father of Eleanor Ruth and a monetary settlement was made for her support until she was eighteen. Eleanor Ruth's biological father was blind, but the judge made him hold his daughter and admonished him by saying he could not deny the child who looked just like him.
When she started school, she used her mother's maiden name RAMSEY. She used that name until her mother re-married and she began using her stepfather's name MORTON, but he never legally adopted her and was very abusive. Her Aunt Etta came to visit and found her tied to the porch and took her home and raised her, but that childhood of abuse influence her entire life. In high school she learned of her birth father's name and switched her name to BUECHLER. Aunt Etta, who raised her, testified to her birth in order for her to get a delayed birth certificate, and apparently Eleanor Ruth chose Ramsey as her birth name.
At age 17, she ran off with my father, Isaac Bruce Swope, Jr. She met him at his sister Olive's house in Greensburg. Her mother was working as a housekeep for Olive Swope and actually dated Bruce, but when he met my mother, they fell in love. They told her family they ran off and got married, but she confided in me that they never did. She began using the name SWOPE just as if she were married and kept that secret from most of her family. Thirteen years, and seven children later, there was no denying her common-law marriage to Bruce. Bruce was the love of her life and she was devastated when he died at a young age with aplastic anemia. She was only 30 years old with seven children under the age of 13 at the time of his passing.
Obituary
Eleanor "Ruth" Hegedus, 84, of Saxton, PA, passed away at the home of her daughter, on August 3, 2013.
Ruth was born in Tarrs, PA on July 16, 1929, a daughter of the late Mary E. (Ramsey) Morton.
She was first united in marriage [NEVER MARRIED] to Issac Bruce Swope (Jr) in 1947, he preceded her in death on May 14, 1960. She later married John J. Hegedus on July 16, 1973, he preceded her in death on March 14, 2008.
She was a baptized Jehovah Witness and was primarily a Homemaker.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean. She enjoyed crafts, embroidery, and crocheting. She also played the Hawaiian steel guitar and was a great yodeler who preformed on the radio in her younger years.
Ruth is survived by six daughters, Sharron, wife of Andrew Mirikitani, of Waxahackie,[Waxahachie] TX; Mary E., wife of Paul Edwards, of Saxton, PA; Janice, wife of Ron Jakubik, of Bardwell, TX; Joyce B., wife of Jerry Miller, of Saxton, PA; Debra, wife of Gary Bollinger, of Dudley, PA; Lorrie Devor, of Huntingdon, PA; and a son, Robert B., husband of Ashley Swope, of Entriken, Pa.
She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family being preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Webb and a brother, Walter Morton and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Devor.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 10-11 AM at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral Services will be held at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., Broad Top City, PA, at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 6th, with Brother Michael Ritondo officiating. [Her oldest grandson and son of her daughter Sharron]
Interment at I.O.O.F. Cemetery Broad Top.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Huntingdon Co. Humane Society Huntingdon, PA 16652 or Saxton Community Library, Saxton, PA. 16678
Arrangements are under the direction of the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. 5010 Railroad Ave. Broad Top City, Pa. 16621. Online condolences can be made at www.caheathfh.com
She was born in Tarrs, Pennsylvania at her grandmother's home and delivered by a mid-wife. Her mother kept her birth a secret for a very long time because she was in the process of a divorce and baby Ruth was born out of Wedlock. While she was pregnant Mary's mom and sister's always made sure there were sheets hung between the house and the outhouse so neighbors wouldn't know she was pregnant. Doctor Poole came by and checked Mary, but said she would be a while and went to see other patients. Unfortunately he did not make it back in time for Eleanor Ruth's birth, so no birth certificate was issued. A neighbor acted as the midwife.
Mary's family was embarrassed that Mary conceived and birthed a child after her husband left her. They tried to hide the pregnancy and birth. While she was pregnant they kept sheets hanging between the basement door and the outhouse. After Ruth was born, they would hide her under the kitchen table in a basket. She was a very quiet baby, so for a very long time no one knew there was a baby in the house.
The 1930 Federal census give Eleanor's last name as SMITH because that was her mother's married name. While she was still an infant her mother filed a paternity suit in the Greensburg court. The court found Albert Oliver Buechler to be the biological father of Eleanor Ruth and a monetary settlement was made for her support until she was eighteen. Eleanor Ruth's biological father was blind, but the judge made him hold his daughter and admonished him by saying he could not deny the child who looked just like him.
When she started school, she used her mother's maiden name RAMSEY. She used that name until her mother re-married and she began using her stepfather's name MORTON, but he never legally adopted her and was very abusive. Her Aunt Etta came to visit and found her tied to the porch and took her home and raised her, but that childhood of abuse influence her entire life. In high school she learned of her birth father's name and switched her name to BUECHLER. Aunt Etta, who raised her, testified to her birth in order for her to get a delayed birth certificate, and apparently Eleanor Ruth chose Ramsey as her birth name.
At age 17, she ran off with my father, Isaac Bruce Swope, Jr. She met him at his sister Olive's house in Greensburg. Her mother was working as a housekeep for Olive Swope and actually dated Bruce, but when he met my mother, they fell in love. They told her family they ran off and got married, but she confided in me that they never did. She began using the name SWOPE just as if she were married and kept that secret from most of her family. Thirteen years, and seven children later, there was no denying her common-law marriage to Bruce. Bruce was the love of her life and she was devastated when he died at a young age with aplastic anemia. She was only 30 years old with seven children under the age of 13 at the time of his passing.
Obituary
Eleanor "Ruth" Hegedus, 84, of Saxton, PA, passed away at the home of her daughter, on August 3, 2013.
Ruth was born in Tarrs, PA on July 16, 1929, a daughter of the late Mary E. (Ramsey) Morton.
She was first united in marriage [NEVER MARRIED] to Issac Bruce Swope (Jr) in 1947, he preceded her in death on May 14, 1960. She later married John J. Hegedus on July 16, 1973, he preceded her in death on March 14, 2008.
She was a baptized Jehovah Witness and was primarily a Homemaker.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean. She enjoyed crafts, embroidery, and crocheting. She also played the Hawaiian steel guitar and was a great yodeler who preformed on the radio in her younger years.
Ruth is survived by six daughters, Sharron, wife of Andrew Mirikitani, of Waxahackie,[Waxahachie] TX; Mary E., wife of Paul Edwards, of Saxton, PA; Janice, wife of Ron Jakubik, of Bardwell, TX; Joyce B., wife of Jerry Miller, of Saxton, PA; Debra, wife of Gary Bollinger, of Dudley, PA; Lorrie Devor, of Huntingdon, PA; and a son, Robert B., husband of Ashley Swope, of Entriken, Pa.
She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family being preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Webb and a brother, Walter Morton and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Devor.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 10-11 AM at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral Services will be held at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., Broad Top City, PA, at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 6th, with Brother Michael Ritondo officiating. [Her oldest grandson and son of her daughter Sharron]
Interment at I.O.O.F. Cemetery Broad Top.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Huntingdon Co. Humane Society Huntingdon, PA 16652 or Saxton Community Library, Saxton, PA. 16678
Arrangements are under the direction of the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. 5010 Railroad Ave. Broad Top City, Pa. 16621. Online condolences can be made at www.caheathfh.com
She passed peacefully in her sleep at her daughter, Mary Edward's, home in rural Saxton, Pennsylvania. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.
She was born in Tarrs, Pennsylvania at her grandmother's home and delivered by a mid-wife. Her mother kept her birth a secret for a very long time because she was in the process of a divorce and baby Ruth was born out of Wedlock. While she was pregnant Mary's mom and sister's always made sure there were sheets hung between the house and the outhouse so neighbors wouldn't know she was pregnant. Doctor Poole came by and checked Mary, but said she would be a while and went to see other patients. Unfortunately he did not make it back in time for Eleanor Ruth's birth, so no birth certificate was issued. A neighbor acted as the midwife.
Mary's family was embarrassed that Mary conceived and birthed a child after her husband left her. They tried to hide the pregnancy and birth. While she was pregnant they kept sheets hanging between the basement door and the outhouse. After Ruth was born, they would hide her under the kitchen table in a basket. She was a very quiet baby, so for a very long time no one knew there was a baby in the house.
The 1930 Federal census give Eleanor's last name as SMITH because that was her mother's married name. While she was still an infant her mother filed a paternity suit in the Greensburg court. The court found Albert Oliver Buechler to be the biological father of Eleanor Ruth and a monetary settlement was made for her support until she was eighteen. Eleanor Ruth's biological father was blind, but the judge made him hold his daughter and admonished him by saying he could not deny the child who looked just like him.
When she started school, she used her mother's maiden name RAMSEY. She used that name until her mother re-married and she began using her stepfather's name MORTON, but he never legally adopted her and was very abusive. Her Aunt Etta came to visit and found her tied to the porch and took her home and raised her, but that childhood of abuse influence her entire life. In high school she learned of her birth father's name and switched her name to BUECHLER. Aunt Etta, who raised her, testified to her birth in order for her to get a delayed birth certificate, and apparently Eleanor Ruth chose Ramsey as her birth name.
At age 17, she ran off with my father, Isaac Bruce Swope, Jr. She met him at his sister Olive's house in Greensburg. Her mother was working as a housekeep for Olive Swope and actually dated Bruce, but when he met my mother, they fell in love. They told her family they ran off and got married, but she confided in me that they never did. She began using the name SWOPE just as if she were married and kept that secret from most of her family. Thirteen years, and seven children later, there was no denying her common-law marriage to Bruce. Bruce was the love of her life and she was devastated when he died at a young age with aplastic anemia. She was only 30 years old with seven children under the age of 13 at the time of his passing.
Obituary
Eleanor "Ruth" Hegedus, 84, of Saxton, PA, passed away at the home of her daughter, on August 3, 2013.
Ruth was born in Tarrs, PA on July 16, 1929, a daughter of the late Mary E. (Ramsey) Morton.
She was first united in marriage [NEVER MARRIED] to Issac Bruce Swope (Jr) in 1947, he preceded her in death on May 14, 1960. She later married John J. Hegedus on July 16, 1973, he preceded her in death on March 14, 2008.
She was a baptized Jehovah Witness and was primarily a Homemaker.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean. She enjoyed crafts, embroidery, and crocheting. She also played the Hawaiian steel guitar and was a great yodeler who preformed on the radio in her younger years.
Ruth is survived by six daughters, Sharron, wife of Andrew Mirikitani, of Waxahackie,[Waxahachie] TX; Mary E., wife of Paul Edwards, of Saxton, PA; Janice, wife of Ron Jakubik, of Bardwell, TX; Joyce B., wife of Jerry Miller, of Saxton, PA; Debra, wife of Gary Bollinger, of Dudley, PA; Lorrie Devor, of Huntingdon, PA; and a son, Robert B., husband of Ashley Swope, of Entriken, Pa.
She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family being preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Webb and a brother, Walter Morton and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Devor.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 10-11 AM at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral Services will be held at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., Broad Top City, PA, at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 6th, with Brother Michael Ritondo officiating. [Her oldest grandson and son of her daughter Sharron]
Interment at I.O.O.F. Cemetery Broad Top.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Huntingdon Co. Humane Society Huntingdon, PA 16652 or Saxton Community Library, Saxton, PA. 16678
Arrangements are under the direction of the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. 5010 Railroad Ave. Broad Top City, Pa. 16621. Online condolences can be made at www.caheathfh.com
She was born in Tarrs, Pennsylvania at her grandmother's home and delivered by a mid-wife. Her mother kept her birth a secret for a very long time because she was in the process of a divorce and baby Ruth was born out of Wedlock. While she was pregnant Mary's mom and sister's always made sure there were sheets hung between the house and the outhouse so neighbors wouldn't know she was pregnant. Doctor Poole came by and checked Mary, but said she would be a while and went to see other patients. Unfortunately he did not make it back in time for Eleanor Ruth's birth, so no birth certificate was issued. A neighbor acted as the midwife.
Mary's family was embarrassed that Mary conceived and birthed a child after her husband left her. They tried to hide the pregnancy and birth. While she was pregnant they kept sheets hanging between the basement door and the outhouse. After Ruth was born, they would hide her under the kitchen table in a basket. She was a very quiet baby, so for a very long time no one knew there was a baby in the house.
The 1930 Federal census give Eleanor's last name as SMITH because that was her mother's married name. While she was still an infant her mother filed a paternity suit in the Greensburg court. The court found Albert Oliver Buechler to be the biological father of Eleanor Ruth and a monetary settlement was made for her support until she was eighteen. Eleanor Ruth's biological father was blind, but the judge made him hold his daughter and admonished him by saying he could not deny the child who looked just like him.
When she started school, she used her mother's maiden name RAMSEY. She used that name until her mother re-married and she began using her stepfather's name MORTON, but he never legally adopted her and was very abusive. Her Aunt Etta came to visit and found her tied to the porch and took her home and raised her, but that childhood of abuse influence her entire life. In high school she learned of her birth father's name and switched her name to BUECHLER. Aunt Etta, who raised her, testified to her birth in order for her to get a delayed birth certificate, and apparently Eleanor Ruth chose Ramsey as her birth name.
At age 17, she ran off with my father, Isaac Bruce Swope, Jr. She met him at his sister Olive's house in Greensburg. Her mother was working as a housekeep for Olive Swope and actually dated Bruce, but when he met my mother, they fell in love. They told her family they ran off and got married, but she confided in me that they never did. She began using the name SWOPE just as if she were married and kept that secret from most of her family. Thirteen years, and seven children later, there was no denying her common-law marriage to Bruce. Bruce was the love of her life and she was devastated when he died at a young age with aplastic anemia. She was only 30 years old with seven children under the age of 13 at the time of his passing.
Obituary
Eleanor "Ruth" Hegedus, 84, of Saxton, PA, passed away at the home of her daughter, on August 3, 2013.
Ruth was born in Tarrs, PA on July 16, 1929, a daughter of the late Mary E. (Ramsey) Morton.
She was first united in marriage [NEVER MARRIED] to Issac Bruce Swope (Jr) in 1947, he preceded her in death on May 14, 1960. She later married John J. Hegedus on July 16, 1973, he preceded her in death on March 14, 2008.
She was a baptized Jehovah Witness and was primarily a Homemaker.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean. She enjoyed crafts, embroidery, and crocheting. She also played the Hawaiian steel guitar and was a great yodeler who preformed on the radio in her younger years.
Ruth is survived by six daughters, Sharron, wife of Andrew Mirikitani, of Waxahackie,[Waxahachie] TX; Mary E., wife of Paul Edwards, of Saxton, PA; Janice, wife of Ron Jakubik, of Bardwell, TX; Joyce B., wife of Jerry Miller, of Saxton, PA; Debra, wife of Gary Bollinger, of Dudley, PA; Lorrie Devor, of Huntingdon, PA; and a son, Robert B., husband of Ashley Swope, of Entriken, Pa.
She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family being preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Webb and a brother, Walter Morton and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Devor.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 10-11 AM at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral Services will be held at the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc., Broad Top City, PA, at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 6th, with Brother Michael Ritondo officiating. [Her oldest grandson and son of her daughter Sharron]
Interment at I.O.O.F. Cemetery Broad Top.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Huntingdon Co. Humane Society Huntingdon, PA 16652 or Saxton Community Library, Saxton, PA. 16678
Arrangements are under the direction of the Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home Inc. 5010 Railroad Ave. Broad Top City, Pa. 16621. Online condolences can be made at www.caheathfh.com
Family Members
See more Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler memorials in:
- Broad Top IOOF Cemetery Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
- Broad Top City Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
- Huntingdon County Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
- Pennsylvania Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
- USA Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
- Find a Grave Swope Hegedus or Ramsey Buechler
