Ruth Jane Howard, 96, of New Philadelphia, passed away Dec. 21, 2020, in Park Village Southside at New Philadelphia following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late Clayton Deane and Sarah Jane (Moore) Jones, Ruth was born June 11, 1924, in her childhood home in Jerusalem.

Ruth graduated from Beallsville High School in 1942. She then served as the secretary and treasurer for the Beallsville School District. After meeting her future husband, William R. Howard, Jane relocated to the New Philadelphia area and the couple eventually wed on March 1, 1957. She later worked as a tax clerk for Rea & Associates at New Philadelphia and was formerly a member of the Jerusalem United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Faye Jane and Stan Olson, of New Philadelphia; her grandson, Zachary William Olson; a niece, Betty Jane Corbin and a great niece, Susan Corbin.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William who passed away Dec. 23, 1989, and a brother, Wilfred Jones.

Private family services will be held at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory and interment will take place in Jerusalem Cemetery at Jerusalem.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Ruth by visiting the funeral home website, www.geibcares.com.