Mary "Ruth" Walsh, age 93 of Elwood, died Monday, May 7, 2012 at St. Joseph Manor Nursing Home in Brockton, MA following an extended illness. She was born September 27, 1918 in Grant County, Indiana, the daughter of Floyd O. and Arminta B. (Whitaker) Hoppes. She worked in administration for Wesleyan World Headquarters in Marion for 20 years, and retired in 1961. She also formerly worked as a hairdresser. She was a 1937 graduate of Windfall High School, and graduated from the Kokomo Beauty College. She married Rev. Bueford G. Walsh on August 31, 1941, and enjoyed being a pastor's wife working in many Wesleyan Churches and various denominations. She and her husband formerly enjoyed spending winters in Florida at the Wesleyan Village. She was currently a member of the Main Street Wesleyan Church in Elwood, and formerly a member of the Wesleyan B.Y.F. Single Sisters. She will be greatly missed by her family and church friends.

Survivors include her son, Mark A. Walsh of Muncie; sister, Freda Getherall of Brockton, MA; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pearl Clouser of Elwood; 4 grandchildren, Laney Blaine, Christopher Walsh, Nathan Walsh, and Hannah Walsh; 2 great grandchildren, McKenzie Hirons and Seth Walsh and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 59 years, Rev. Bueford G. Walsh; 2 infant daughters, Yvonne and Rebecca Walsh; son, Harold E. Walsh who died in 2010; 2 brothers, Paul Hoppes and Howard Hoppes; and sister-in-law, Juanita Hoppes.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Ron Becker of the Main Street Wesleyan Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the funeral service on Saturday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Main Street Wesleyan Church Building Fund – 2535 Main Street, Elwood, IN 46036. Online condolences may be made at www.copherfeslermay.com.