Ruth Shade

Ruth C. Shade, 92, of Reading, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 11:15 am in ManorCare Health Services, Spring Township where she was a guest for 1 year. She was the wife of the late Eugene D. Shade who passed away July 28, 1981 and to whom she married on December 8, 1945. Born in Reading she was the daughter of the late George S. and Caroline B. (Loder) Schaeffer. Ruth graduated from Wilson Senior High School in 1941. She and several of her high school classmates continued their friendship through a sewing club that met in their homes every month. She was a member of St. Marks United Church of Christ in Reading and was a long time treasurer of the Young Mothers Class. She was also active with the Quilters and helped to make Easter eggs and Christmas cookies. She was a stay at home mother. After her children were in junior high school, she worked for Gilbert Fix Produce and later in the food service department in the Reading School District and the Reading-Muhlenberg Vocational-Technical School. She served as treasurer for the Hillside Swimming Association Ladies' Auxiliary and the Reading High School Band-Aides. After much cajoling, Gene finally convinced her to trust airplanes and they did lots of traveling, including Aruba and Hawaii. She organized many bus trips for the church and 50+ Club. Although she never learned to play an instrument other than "air piano", Ruth enjoyed singing and listening to all kinds of music. She was the designated driver for a group of her friends to attend many Ringgold Band concerts throughout the county and beyond. This continued until she was well into her eighties.
Ruth is survived by her son Thomas E. Shade and his companion, Donna L. Debiec of Reading and her daughter in law Joyce M. (Allen) Shade, wife of the late Jeffrey D. Shade of Muhlenberg Township, who passed away September 18, 2015. She is also survived by her grandsons Matthew S. Shade, husband of Mary L. (Hicks) Shade of Cumming, GA and Jason T. Shade of Phoenix, AZ and her granddaughters Holly J. (Shade) Foster, wife of Bradley L. Foster and Kimberly R. (Shade) Jones, wife of Christopher A. Jones, both of Muhlenberg Township. Also surviving are her great grandchildren Logan, Jana and Kendal Shade of Cumming, GA; Nikolai and Alexei Shade of Flagstaff, AZ; Gabriella, Isabella and Elijah Foster of Muhlenberg Township.
Funeral Services will be held in Bean Funeral Home, North 16th & Rockland Streets, Hampden Heights, Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 am. Reverend Walton R. Horn will officiate. Interment will be held privately by the family in St. John's (Hain's) Church Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday 10-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Ringgold Band, 3539-A Freemont Street, Laureldale, PA 19605 or a charity of your choice in Ruth's name. Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com