Ruth Esther Stauffer, 85, died on Monday, January 25, 2016 with family by her side at Westminster Health Care.  She was born July 3, 1930, in Doylestown, Ohio, to the late August and Olivia Vetter Lindeman. Ruth graduated from Chippewa Township High School and earned a bachelors degree from Kent State University.

On December 31, 1953, she married James Stauffer and soon after settled in Chittenango, a small town in upstate New York. Ruth was active in the life of the community serving in the Parent Teacher Association, volunteering at the library, running a summer program for Head Start, and participating in the Garden Club. She loved teaching in the Chittenango school district, retiring in 1991. Ruth and Jim spent their retirement years in Bradenton, Florida volunteering with both children and adults, gardening year round, and enjoying the company of family and friends.  Surviving are her children Suzanne Roberts (Larry) of Miami, Florida, Nanci Forney (Jim) of West Lafayette, Indiana, Janette Powell of St. Petersburg, Florida, Janine Koury of Denver, Colorado, grandchildren Kristen Lee, Emily Leibovitch, Benjamin Roberts, Cole Powell, Keith and Kate Koury.  Also surviving is her brother Robert Lindeman (Phyllis), sister Joanne Lepley, brother- in-law Duane Miller and sister-in-law Kay Villers.  Ruth was preceded in death by her husband James, her sister Mary Miller, brother Leo Lindeman and brother in law Harry Lepley. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Smile Train.