Ruth C. Carter

Ruth C. Carter, 83, of Wapakoneta, died 4:45 p.m., Sun. Sept. 14, 2014, at Auglaize Acres. She was born June 21, 1931, in Celina, the daughter of Steve & Christine (Hemmelgarn) Bensman. Ruth, along with her parents, moved to Dayton where she attended St. Marys Elementary School and graduated from Julienne High School in 1949. On Jan. 3, 1953, she married Joseph R. “Joe” Carter while both were students at the University of Dayton. She received her BS in Education from the University of Dayton and a Master’s Degree in Education from Wright State University in 1979. Ruth and Joe celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in January of 2013. They are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Wapakoneta community for the last 60 years. Ruth was a school teacher in the Wapakoneta area for 36 years. She taught at McCartyville Elementary School, United Local School, St. Joseph Elementary School, Blume Junior High, and the Wapakoneta Middle School. She primarily taught social studies and American history. She was a dynamic and enthusiastic teacher that made learning fun and educational and her students looked forward to her class each day as an exciting time. She also took her students on numerous field trips to Washington D.C. to actually study government in action. While teaching social studies, Mrs. Carter was encouraged by her students to run for city council, so she could practice what she was teaching. She was elected as the first woman in Wapakoneta history to serve on the city council. She served 18 years as a council representative and helped lead many projects that have benefited the local community. These accomplishments include a new city building that houses the police department, new bridges and water towers, an improved sewage plant, an aerial fire truck, downtown renovation, the foreign student exchange sister-city program, the Bellefontaine Street project, bicycle patrol, promoted a recycling program, and many more. Mrs. Carter also paved the way for several other women to become council representatives in Wapakoneta. Ruth and Joe enjoyed traveling throughout the world and spending time with their grandchildren. They have taken multiple trips to Europe and Africa. Some of the countries they toured include England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Egypt. They have also visited the majority of the states in the USA including Hawaii. Ruth is survived by her husband Joe, 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Larry & Cindy Carter, Beavercreek, OH; Terry & Rhonda Carter, Cincinnati, OH; and Gary & Pamela Carter, Anna, OH; grandchildren, Kelly (Carter) Sands and her husband Jeremy, Matt Carter, Luke Carter, and Kayla Carter; a great grandson, Carter James Sands; and 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Dietz and Jeanette Carter. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Audrey Bensman, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reed & Theresa Carter; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Carter, Eugene Dietz, & Robert & Ruth Barhorst; and nephews, Michael Dietz and Keith Carter. Mass of Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thurs. Sept. 18, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta. Burial is to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wapakoneta, Rev. Patrick Sloneker officiating. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m., Wed. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Tranquility Room at Auglaize Acres or the Renovation Fund at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Ruth C. Carter

June 21, 1931 - September 14, 2014