Martha Ruth Shinn, nee Joyce, 94, passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the home of her daughter in Indianapolis IN.

Ruth was the middle daughter of the late Emma and Maurice Joyce, born October 31, 1927 in Washington, D.C. Her two siblings, Winifred Nolte and Maurice Joyce, preceded her in death.

Ruth lived a long, full and blessed life that began in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Anacostia High School and attended Blackstone College before meeting her future husband, Joseph Shinn. They married in 1949 and started their family soon afterward. In 1957, they moved to Illinois with their young family and initially settled at Scott Air Force Base before moving to Cahokia, IL. Ruth and Joe were active community members, helping to establish the Cahokia Public Library, as well as being life long members of Cahokia Park United Methodist Church. They remained there until Joe's retirement from Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Ruth and Joe's remaining years together were spent between Millstadt, IL and their cabin in Fulton, MO.

Ruth had a passion for service to others, helping anyone who needed it, providing a meal or just engaging in a friendly conversation. She loved her family, a clean house, getting her hair done every week and a good game of UNO. She instilled in her children that truth and honesty mattered, that you treat others with love and that you always keep God at the center of your life.

Phillippians 4:13—

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"- our mom's favorite bible verse.

Ruth and Joe (deceased 2014) leave behind 3 children, JoAnn (Mike)Weber, Debbie (Rick) Clarkson, and Fred Shinn, 8 grandchildren, Matthew (Tami) Weber, Jennifer (Pat) Meredith, Christopher Weber, Timothy Clarkson, Bryan Clarkson, Andrew (Cayla) Clarkson, Skyler Shinn and Hannah Shinn, 8 great grandchildren, Andrew Meredith, Emma Meredith, Evan Meredith, Sidney Weber, Brooklyn Capps, Brodie Ransdell, Jaylen Ransdell and Miller Clarkson, along with nieces and nephews and many friends.

We would like to thank Garden Place of Columbia IL and Franciscan Hospice of Indianapolis IN for their loving care in our mom's final years.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday May 17, 2022 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Braun Family Funeral Home Columbia, Illinois. Services will begin at 12:30 pm. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks Natl. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity or organization.