Ruth (Mrs. Morris) Roark, 86, of Westphalia. IN, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. She was born in Sandborn, IN, on March 28, 1923, to Edward H. "Duke" and Pearl A. (Hagemeier) Stremming. On May 24, 1947, she married Leonard Morris Roark.

Ruth was a homemaker, very loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and friend to all. She was a member of the Salem United Church of Christ in Westphalia. Family & friends were the most important things to Ruth. She always wanted to know what was happening with everyone and that they were safe, therefore, she wrote letters, sent cards, or talked on the phone to many people every day. She wrote daily diaries for many years which were very informative & interesting to read. We will cherish these. Earlier in life she embroidered, sewed clothes for her children, home canned, and loved to bake for her family. Ruth also loved her flowers & plants, especially those handed down from family and watched birds from the living room with her son, Darrel. She will be cherished and truly missed by all her family and many friends.

Survivors include four sons: Leonard Eugene (Karla) Roark of Edwardsport, Tim (Debbie) Roark of Sandborn, Darrell Michael and Roger L. Roark both of Westphalia; 5 grandchildren: Michael (Patty), Damond (Georginnia), Jason (Amber), Amber, and Christopher; and 5 great-grandchildren: Jessica (Eric Arthur), Wesley, Damond (JR), and Brooklynn Roark and Payton Jackson. Also surviving are 2 brothers: Orvel Stremming & Roy Stremming both of Sandborn; and 2 sisters: Wilhelmine Blackwell of Sandborn & Senora Roark of Wheatland.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a son, Dennis.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the Salem UCC Church (Westphalia) at 11:00 AM with Rev. Ken Kramer officiating. Interment will follow in the Salem UCC Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Salem UCC Church in Westphalia from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, and from 9:00 AM until the hour of service on Wed., July 22.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson-Poindexter Memory Chapel of Linton.
Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonpoindexter.com