Ruth Elizabeth Groves, 78, of St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Somerton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

Ruth was born on Jan. 29, 1944 to the late James and Martha Groves in Somerton.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Martha Lee Winland, of Wildomar, California; children, James Gabriel Hoagland, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Allison Kernisky and her husband Joey Kernisky, of Miami, Florida; grandchildren, Rory Kernisky, of Miami, Florida, and Hamilton Kernisky, of Miami, Florida; and nephew, Brian Winland and his wife Darla of Wildomar, California.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, James and Martha Groves; her nephew, Scott Winland; former husband, David Jesse Hoagland; and infant son, David Zachary Hoagland.

Ruth married David Jesse Hoagland at Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania in Sept. of 1974. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Penn State University. Ruth also joined the United States Army as a WAC (Women’s Army Corp.). She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, serving as an Army officer for 27 years. She achieved the rank of Colonel before retiring at the age of 50 and moving to St. Petersburg, Florida.

While the time and date of the service have yet to be determined, the funeral will be located at the Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral in charge of the future service is A Life Tribute Funeral Home, Gulfport, Florida.

Memorials may be made to the ASPCA and your local humane society.