Mrs. Ruth M. Scott, 96, of Dallas City, Illinois passed away Monday, December 7, 2009 at 7:50 A.M. at the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst, Illinois.

She was born May 20, 1913 at home, near Burnside, Illinois, the daughter of Harvard and Bessie Todd Pettit. On October 6, 1935 she married Ward Scott. They later divorced.

She was raised near Burnside and attended grade school there. In 1932 she graduated from Boone, Iowa High School. She worked at Sheaffer Pen Co. in Fort Madison, Iowa for 24 years, retiring at the age of 62. She was a 50 year member and past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed gardening, flowers and needlework.

Surviving are one daughter, Marilyn (Ralph) Torrance of rural Lomax, Illinois, one son, Lynn (Mona) Scott of Stow, Ohio, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Marjorie Myers of Sperry, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Julius, Howard and William Pettit.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Mark Pettit and Rev. Tom Wright officiating. Burial will be in the Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage, Illinois. Friends may call after 4:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home where Eastern Star Rites will be held at 6:00 P.M. followed by visitation with the family until 8:00 P.M. Friday. A memorial fund has been established for the Dallas City First Christian Church or the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab.