Leona Ruth Walch, 92, of Fremont, Michigan, went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 12, 2025, she passed away peacefully at Fountainview of Fremont with her family at her side.

She was born on July 24, 1933, in MacFarlan Township, Ritchie County, West Virginia, to Mable Winfred Lumpkin and Okey Barker. Ruth was raised by her mother and adopted father, Forest E. Ames. On September 10, 1950, she married Desmer G. Walch, Sr. Together they shared 61 years of marriage and were blessed with nine children.

She is survived by her children: Desmer, Jr. (Colleen) Walch of Hesperia, Michigan; Kimberly (Patrick) Brown of Hesperia, Michigan; Patty (Don) Krmpotich of Wheatland, Wyoming; Sherry (Larry) Coleman of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Tammy (John) Kinsella of Rosemount, Minnesota; William (Honnie) Walch of Conover, North Carolina; Penny (Kevin) Dummer of Fremont, Michigan; and Gina (Jim) Smoger of Wheaton, Minnesota. She is also survived by her sister, Silvia Sue Maxwell (Jim Plante) of Harrison Township, Michigan; her brother, Robert (Marylou) Ames of Saginaw, Michigan; 23 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren, nieces nephews and multiple extended family members.

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother and father Mable and Forest Ames, her son, Richard Arthur Walch, and her sister, Janet Cooper.

Ruth loved to sing and made many people happy with her voice. She enjoyed meeting new people and making friends. She loved traveling, and her favorite bucket-list trip was to Russia, where she spent her 80th birthday. In her quiet times, she thoroughly enjoyed watching the birds in her many bird feeders. Most of all, she cherished time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ruth also had a special love for plants and flowers and was known for her amazing green thumb.

Leona will be buried next to her son Richard at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fountainview of Fremont, 102 Hillcrest, Fremont, MI 49412. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crandell Funeral Home - Fremont Chapel