Ruth Lynn (Berry) Shanks, 86, of Sandborn, IN, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009 at Greene County General Hospital. She was born on October 30, 1922, in rural Sandborn, to Johnnie and Anne (Fielder) Berry. She was the third of six children.

Ruth graduated from Sandborn High School and worked in Washington for a while before going to Beauty College in Indianapolis. She and a partner owned Lynn-Mays Beauty Shop in Broadripple in the 1940's and 1950's. She married James Ray Shanks on February 28, 1953 and they had one daughter.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda (Larry) Hancock of Sandborn; two grandchildren, Ginger (Tim) Kirk of Dayton and Luke (Jennifer) Hancock of Sandborn; one great-grandson, Elijah Kirk of Dayton and one sister, Roberta (Haldon) Townsend of Indianapolis. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ray (April 5, 1991); two sisters Betty (Berry) Finlay of Danville and Alma (Berry) Heim of Carmel; two brothers, Robert Berry of Lyons and Joe Berry of Plainville and one nephew, Chuck Heim of Carmel.

Friends may call at the Sandborn Christian Church from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 and from 9:00 AM until the hour of service on Thursday, May 7, 2009. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Bryan Sanders officiating. Interment will follow at Sandborn Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonpoindexter.com