Ruth May Conner Hepler Obituary

Ruth May Conner Hepler, age 100, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024, at Lavender Fields Assisted Living Facility.
True to her generous spirit, she requested that her body be donated to West Virginia University to advance scientific study.
Born on February 26, 1924, in Collierstown, Virginia, to Ada May and Elgie Ray Conner, Ruth grew up on a farm, where she discovered a lifelong love for gardening. Throughout her life, she nurtured vegetable gardens and vibrant flowers, finding joy in the simple pleasure of "digging in the dirt."
Ruth graduated from Millboro High School in Virginia and, around 1943, moved to Waynesboro, where she began working at Dupont. In her role in the lab, she contributed to the war effort by helping to produce nylon and rayon for parachutes-earning her place as a true "Rosie the Riveter." After World War II, Ruth met and married Frank Hepler in November of 1945. In 1950, they relocated to Elkins, West Virginia, when Frank was transferred for his work with Columbia Gas. Elkins became their home, where they raised their family and built a life together until Frank's passing in 1973.
In the wake of her husband's death, Ruth demonstrated her resilience by fulfilling a long-held dream. At age 50, she enrolled in Davis and Elkins College's Registered Nursing program, proudly earning her RN degree. She went on to work at Nella's Incorporated, serving the community with compassion and dedication until her retirement-at the remarkable age of 92.
In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Francis, Reba, Pauline, and Janet; her brother, Ermon; and her granddaughter, Stephanie Hepler.
Ruth leaves behind a legacy of love through her five children: Don Hepler (Connie), Pat Dietrich (Fred), Debbie Murphy, Paula Heinke (Nils), and Mark Hepler. Her grandchildren, Robyn Hepler, Karen Shreve, Kim Hepler, Brandon Hepler, Jon Hickman, Jarrod Hickman, Jessica Fason, Casey Murphy, Jamie Murphy, Dominique Heinke, Ingrid Heinke, Markia Wilson, and Josalin Hepler, as well as step-grandchildren Matt Dietrich, Tenley Dietrich, Phil Haddix, and Nick Haddix, will carry her memory forward. She also delighted in the presence of 25 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her endless joy. Ruth will be fondly remembered by many Hepler and Conner nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.at First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Avenue in Elkins. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rosie the Riveter Fund (please note "Rosie/Ruth" in the memo) and mailed to ESGC Rosie the Riveter, PO Box 1214, Elkins, WV 26241, or to First United Methodist Church, 315 Kerens Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
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