Sydney S. Ruch, 94, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Monday at Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
Born in Cressona, Dec. 23, 1921, he was a son of the late Samuel and Lottie Herring Ruch.
He was the loving husband of Janet J. "Jenny" Gilfillan Ruch.
Sid was a graduate of Cressona High School, Class of 1939, and had been employed as an electrician in Middletown, and later in Rome, N.Y., at a new airport.
From there he entered active duty in the Army Air Corps on May 1, 1943. He served in the European Theater and was sent to Scotland to an Air Force base in Prestwick, then to Germany and finally France. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Sid was then employed as an electrician with Alcoa from 1966 until it closed in 1976. His career as an electrician ended when he retired in 1982 after working for a garment factory.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lester "Bud" Herring.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Fiona J. Jacoby and husband, Scott, Schuylkill Haven, and Karen R. Bubb and husband, Larry, Prior Lake, Minn.; five grandchildren, Brian Jacoby, Laura Schaeffer, Philip Bubb, Colleen Anderson and Steven Bubb; 13 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven, with the Rev. Ted Rathman officiating. A viewing will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will immediately follow the service at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. At the family's request, memorial donations may be sent to Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 15 Earl Stoyer Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.