Ruth Marie Salerno

Ruth Salerno died peacefully at home in Battle Creek on Thursday, January 30, 2014. Ruth was born on March 8, 1924, in Karnak, Illinois, (an area known as Little Egypt) the daughter of Amanda Rose (Hinners) and Arnold Mescher. She grew up in Metropolis: the hometown of Superman. After high school, Ruth took a business course, and moved with her family to Battle Creek, Michigan. She worked from 1941-42 at the Battle Creek Sanitarium with correspondence and statistics in the new advertising department headed by Ruth Kelsey, then at Western Union -- where she was so fast on the Teletype that the printer broke! Ruth married Anthony Salerno on May 18, 1944, in Roswell, New Mexico. Within a 20-year span, they had 8 children. Ruth worked as a homemaker, and later at the Federal Center. She also completed a nurse's aide course at Kellogg Community College. She was active in St. Philip Catholic Church, including years of Perpetual Adoration. Ruth was preceded in death by her spouse, Anthony; brothers, Paul (Marguerite) Mescher and Carl Mescher. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ruth (Hilliard) Mescher, and by her 8 children: Douglas (Rhonda) Salerno of St. Joseph, Michigan; Dianna (Dale) Dummer of Lansing; David Salerno of Battle Creek; Daniel Salerno of Kalamazoo; Dorothy (Charles) Evans of Longwood, Florida; Dominic (Penny) Salerno of Portage; Donna (Larry) Ebbs of Naples, Florida; and Deborah (Barry) Salerno of Ann Arbor. A wonderful woman loved by all, she is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Joseph (Carrie) Dummer, Peter Salerno, Mike Salerno, Stefanie (Bjorn) Wolter, Ben Salerno, Mary Angela Salerno, Anna (Garrett) Abbott, Angela Evans, Jeremy Salerno, Katie Evans, and Josiah Salerno; and 6 great-grandchildren: Thomas, Sean and Michael of Holland, Michigan; Solveig and Aylin of Juneau, Alaska; and Macklin of Anchorage, Alaska. She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews, book club members, and close friends. Visitation will be held at 3 PM, Sunday, February 9, in the vestibule of St. Philip Catholic Church followed by recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4 PM with Deacon Al Patrick. Another Visitation will be held at 10 AM, Monday, February 10, in the Parish Center, prior to the Funeral Mass at 11 AM at St. Philip Catholic Church with Fr. Francis Marotti officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Parish Center. Family and friends are all welcome. A Committal Ceremony will take place at 2:30 PM Monday, February 10, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Preschool or St. Joseph Elementary School, 63 N 24th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015-1733, an elementary school of your choice, or a donation to benefit young children 12 years or younger.