Ruth Marie Chase

On September 23, 2025, in Deland, Florida, Ruth Marie Chase went home to be with her Lord at the age of 94. Born on September 10, 1931, Ruth was the daughter of the late Russell and Annie Croyle Hagans, one of eight children. She and her siblings grew up on the Croyle family farm. Her grandfather, John Coyle, helped build the five room, two story farmhouse, which was located in Stoystown, Pennsylvania. The old house stood for over 100 years before it was taken down, and the land itself still remains in the family. Extended family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, also lived on the large family farm at times while they built homes of their own. There were tales of the old outhouse, heating water on the old coal stove for bathing, pumping water by hand with the old pitcher pump; her dad singing loudly early in the morning with the radio and the old wringer washer that was good at smashing fingers.

Growing up, Ruth and her siblings helped raise the farm’s animals and worked the family garden. The girls learned to cook and preserve food from the garden. Their mother also taught them to sew. At a time when families lived off the land, her brothers learned to hunt. As a child, Ruth and her siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse.

As a young adult, Ruth traveled briefly with her oldest sister, Eva, who was an evangelist. Later after marrying her first love, William Bluestone; she lived in Kent, Ohio for many years. Together they raised a son, Robert, and a daughter, Donna. Ruth helped with the family store occasionally and enjoyed attending toy shows, searching out unique gifts for children of all ages. One niece still has two remarkable dolls from that era. Ruth recently had photos taken with them and laughed at what strange dolls she had bought. Later, Ruth and Bill moved to Florida, where she owned a daycare, worked in restaurants, and became a caregiver. They enjoyed camping and traveling, especially to the Bahamas, always bringing back gifts for the family. After 19 years of marriage, she found herself a widow.

Everyone loved getting together at the old homeplace when the out-of-state family came home. There was always more good food than even such a large family could eat, mostly prepared by Ruth’s mother. The adults would share stories, while the kids ran through the woods or played in the creek.

Later she met Leonard Giddens, her second love. Ruth became part of Lenny’s large family, including his seven children and fifteen grandchildren. They lived in Alabama briefly, but lived in Daytona Beach, Florida for most of their marriage. The two of them especially enjoyed evening walks on the beach boardwalk. Listening to Sunday morning gospel while getting ready for church was also special to them. As with Ruth’s first marriage, after nineteen happy years she found herself a widow once again.

Ruth always loved family picnics, spending time at the beach, and going home to Pennsylvania to spend time with her mother. She enjoyed being with Eva and Ethel. The sisters went shopping, spent holidays at each other’s homes, cookouts at the beach, and shared flowers from their gardens. Her heart broke when she lost her sister, Eva.

A few years after Lenny’s passing, Ruth married William Chase and moved to Mississippi, Bill’s home state. Eleven years later she found herself a widow again. At that time, Ruth moved back to Deland, Florida to be near her remaining sister Ethel. They spent their time together shopping, enjoying restaurants, and traveling. Ruth had recently been excited about having a picture taken with her niece, great niece, & great great niece. She loved telling stories about growing up and her adventures through the years.

Ruth was the last surviving child of Russell and Annie. Before her own passing, she missed her family deeply. Ruth was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, and dear friend to many. She is preceded in death by her parents Russell and Annie Hagans, husbands William Bluestone, Leonard Giddens, and William Chase, sisters little Miss Dorthea Hagans, Eva Tasker, and Ethel Berringer, brothers Master Homer Hagans, Melvin Hagans, Telford Hagans, and Ronald Hagans, and granddaughter Ivy Stough Byerly. Ruth is survived by her son Robert Bluestone, daughter Donna Stough Cornelius, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ruth will be missed dearly, but we will see her again in Heaven.