Leona Ruth Walch, 92, of Fremont, Michigan passed away peacefully at Fountain View of Fremont on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 with her family at her side.

She was born to Mable Winfred Lumpkin and Okey Barker in MacFarlan Township located in Richie County, West Virginia on July 24, 1933. She married Desmer G. Walch Sr. on September 10, 1950. They were married for 61 years and had 9 children.

She is survived by her children Desmer Jr. (Colleen) Walch of Hesperia, MI, Kimberly (Patrick) Brown of Hesperia, MI, Patty (Don) Krmpotich of Wheatland, WY, Sherry (Larry) Coleman of Kalamazoo, MI, Tammy (John) Kinsella of Rosemount, MN, William (Honnie) Walch of Conover, NC, Penny (Kevin) Dummer of Fremont, MI, Gina (Jim) Smoger of Wheaton, MN. She is also survived by her sister, Silvia Sue Maxwell (Jim Plante) of Harrison Township, MI, her brother, Robert (Marylou) Ames of Saginaw, MI, 23 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

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

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

Leona Ruth will be buried next to her son Richard at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids, MI. Services for Ruth will be held at a later date in the Spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Fountain View of Fremont located at 102 Hillcrest, Fremont, MI 49412. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crandell Funeral Home - Fremont Chapel.