Born to the late Joseph Valentine Ruffing and Mildred Eddis Ringer on May 2, 1928. Fell asleep in death on Sunday March 20, 2022, at Novant Health Hospital in Salisbury, NC at the age of 93. Survived by wife Judy Mae Ruffing of 7 years. His brothers Newton (Alice) of New Paltz, NY and Regis (Joan) of Lawrenceville, GA. His children Richard A. Ruffing (Claudia) of Pittsburgh, PA John R. Ruffing (Debra) of Washington, PA. Judy Watt (James) of Prosperity, PA. Richard had 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Stepchildren Nancy McCumber (Ken), Rhonda Tracy (Steve), Debra Sanchez (Rick) and their children & grandchildren.
Richard was preceded in death by his brother John “Jack” (Joanne) of Greenville, PA. His daughter Jerilyn of Washington, PA.
Richard started caring for those He loved at an early age. After the death of His Dad, Richard began taking care of his younger brothers. By age 23 you could find him working under the hood of a car. No surprise that He chose to be a heavy machine/equipment mechanic. He retired on December 2, 1991.
He dedicated his life to Jehovah in 1995, since then served as a full-time minister and congregation Elder. He was a member of the West Salisbury Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Serving alongside many loving brothers and sisters, Richard kept the words of Revelation 21:3,4 close to his heart, a promise from God, ‘No more suffering, pain or death’. He looks forward to a time when he will have perfect health and can travel the world as a paradise, just as Jehovah God intended it to be!
There will be no public services held. Inurnment will be in Shenango Valley Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville.
Richard (Dick) meant a lot to us and to our family. He was Regis big brother and we have many great memories of wonderful times we shared. He will be missed very much. Rest in peace Dick.
We want to express our heartfelt sympathy for the family. Our prayer is that you all find comfort & peace in fond memories as well as the Bible’s promises for a future where death will not be an enemy any more! We will certainly miss Brother Ruffing’s joyful spirit & positive outlook.
My deepest sympathy to the family, Richard will be missed
He was such a positive happy brother, always so friendly and kind. He would make sure he spoke to you by your name. Allow the comfort that our great God Jehovah provides
You to in this time. I will miss that smile.
Richard was such a kind and happy person, always laughing and smiling. It will be wonderful to see that happy smile again in Paradise.
It was so nice that Richard and Judy could travel and visit friends and family, and make new friends. He was a person that just made you smile and brighten your day. I don’t think he knew how to be negative. He will be missed by all who knew him.
I will always remember Richard as a caring person. He was my second “dad”. Him and took a couple of trips together. We worked in field ministry for a couple years together. We were sometimes “connected at the hips it seemed. ”
Jehovah will bring him back in perfect health and he will be able to travel the world as he loved to do.
Please accept our DEEPEST condolences.. our hearts are heavy too, please know we all are here if you need us for anything ❤️
Well old BUDDY you finally got the call to come home!! We go back a long way from 1964 to NOW. You were a great friend, a great employee & an all round GOD FEARING GENTLEMAN.MANY GREAT TIMES I REMEMBER but one sticks out, I was in the hospital in CT, major operation, tumor removal from inside my spinal column ,& when I woke up you were at my bedside holding my hand & praying. You had braved a massive winter nor’easter to get there!!!NOW THATS A TRUE FRIEND. Rest in peace, We will meet again BUT I HOPE NOT TOOOSOON. YOUR ICE MAN BUDDY JOHN FLEMING