Ruth Jo Eppley, 97, of Nappanee, Ind., passed away at 5:25 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Wakarusa, Ind.

She was born Oct. 21, 1916, to Waldo and Joy (Ruhl) Eppley in Wabash County, Ind. She began elementary school at Hamilton School in New Carlisle, and graduated from Nappanee High School in 1933. She then attended Manchester College.

She was an elementary teacher in Indiana for 43 years. She established the first kindergarten program in Nappanee Public Schools in 1938. In 1941 she went to Madison Township School where she taught first and second grade until her retirement in 1981. She earned her B.A. degree in elementary education from Indiana State University, and received her M.A. degree in elementary education from Ball State in 1975.

Miss Eppley was the director of children’s ministry in both the Evangelical Church and the Nappanee United Methodist Church. She was also a junior church camp counselor and a camp director. She was a member of the Golden Rule Sunday School Class and The United Methodist Women. She worked in the United Methodist Thrift Shop from its inception until 2009. 

She made several mission trips to Kentucky. In 1970 she began her international travel. She visited in South America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa. She also traveled widely through the United States-visiting all 50 states. She was an avid amateur photographer. 

Ruth is survived by her nephews: Terry (Georgie) Eppley, Leesburg, Ind.; Steve (Kathy) Eppley, Elkhart, Ind.; Rick (Jackie) Eppley, Dayton, Ohio; and sister-in-law: Oma Eppley, Nappanee, Ind. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister: Vivian Kline; and a brother: Dewey Eppley. 

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Thompson- Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, and also from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, at Nappanee United Methodist Church. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Pastor Jim Davidson will officiate. Burial will follow at Union Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart.