V. Ruth Stafford Carr Harvey Merritt
Ruth passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 after a short illness. Ruth was born in Erie, PA on November 7, 1941 to William A. Stafford and C. Virginia (Payne) Stafford the eldest of 4 children. She grew up in a home that taught honesty, hard work and appreciation for the love of family and friends.
Ruth, affectionately, known to friends and family as Bunny, was a hard worker her entire life and enjoyed several careers. She worked 10 years at Presque Isle Plastics (Zurn Industry) in shipping and receiving. She was proud to be the first female jitney driver in the shop. In 1975, she and her then husband, Dennis Harvey, owned the Springboro Inn for 9 years where she developed and displayed her cooking skills. After selling it, she managed the Spillway Inn in Linesville for 3 years, leaving to work at Hoss’s in Meadville for 10 years where out of 1,400 employees, she was chosen as the Hospitality Person of the Year. Ruth was also manager of the Elks Club in Meadville for 3 years before co-owning a restaurant in West Springfield, The Blue Plate Special. In between she also catered many events for family and friends often helping her daughter, Laura.
Ruth’s first husband, Gale Carr, fathered her 3 daughters who survive her: Cheryl Payne (Tom), Gayle Wettekin (Richard) and Laura Loughner (Wayne).
She is also survived by her nephews: William, Andrew, William II Stafford and a niece, Christine Illig and their families. With her second husband, Dennis Harvey, her family grew with the addition of 3 step-children: James Harvey, Denise Sheehan, and Terri Ray. When she married Fred Merritt, 3 more step-sons joined the family: Michael, Matthew, and Mitchell Merritt. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Victoria Hough (Brian), Amanda Orosz, Julia Dean (Seth), Jacqueline and Kyle Wettekin, and Katelin and Kendell Loughner and her great-grandchildren: Damon, William, and Alivia Hough, Bridgett and Brooklyn Dean, Trace Nelson, and Ava Wettekin. She is also survived by many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving companion, James Barco, who brought happiness and joy to her later years. She left behind some very special friends: Patricia Adams, who was a sister to her for over 70 years, Brett Staskiewicz and Suzi Labeka who she regarded as family, and Sonja Mosbacher who was a wonderful friend to her.
She had many pets over the years who were loved, but she considered her dog, Mattie, her saving grace, but actually they saved each other.
Ruth was a people person who touched many lives and she will leave behind a hole in many hearts. She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and was the life of every party.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, William (Butch), David and John (Jackie) Stafford, her sons-in-law, Tom Payne and Wayne Loughner, and her step-sons, Mike and Mitch Merritt.
Visitation hours will be held at the McCauley Funeral Home, 1405 Main St., Conneautville, PA, 16406 from 1:00 -3:30 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The funeral service and burial will be private and will be officiated by her granddaughter, Reverend Tory Hough.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth asked that donations be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., Meadville, PA, 16335 and The Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd. Meadville, PA 16225, or to an organization of one’s choice.
Anyone who knew Ruth well, knew that she loved to wear bright colors and especially clothing with animal print. The family invites you to honor her memory by wearing such attire to the viewing.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of MCCAULEY FUNERAL HOME, 1405 Main St. Conneautville, PA 16406.
Online Condolences can be left for the family at www.mccauleyfuneralhome.net
Ruth passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 after a short illness. Ruth was born in Erie, PA on November 7, 1941 to William A. Stafford and C. Virginia (Payne) Stafford the eldest of 4 children. She grew up in a home that taught honesty, hard work and appreciation for the love of family and friends.
Ruth, affectionately, known to friends and family as Bunny, was a hard worker her entire life and enjoyed several careers. She worked 10 years at Presque Isle Plastics (Zurn Industry) in shipping and receiving. She was proud to be the first female jitney driver in the shop. In 1975, she and her then husband, Dennis Harvey, owned the Springboro Inn for 9 years where she developed and displayed her cooking skills. After selling it, she managed the Spillway Inn in Linesville for 3 years, leaving to work at Hoss’s in Meadville for 10 years where out of 1,400 employees, she was chosen as the Hospitality Person of the Year. Ruth was also manager of the Elks Club in Meadville for 3 years before co-owning a restaurant in West Springfield, The Blue Plate Special. In between she also catered many events for family and friends often helping her daughter, Laura.
Ruth’s first husband, Gale Carr, fathered her 3 daughters who survive her: Cheryl Payne (Tom), Gayle Wettekin (Richard) and Laura Loughner (Wayne).
She is also survived by her nephews: William, Andrew, William II Stafford and a niece, Christine Illig and their families. With her second husband, Dennis Harvey, her family grew with the addition of 3 step-children: James Harvey, Denise Sheehan, and Terri Ray. When she married Fred Merritt, 3 more step-sons joined the family: Michael, Matthew, and Mitchell Merritt. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Victoria Hough (Brian), Amanda Orosz, Julia Dean (Seth), Jacqueline and Kyle Wettekin, and Katelin and Kendell Loughner and her great-grandchildren: Damon, William, and Alivia Hough, Bridgett and Brooklyn Dean, Trace Nelson, and Ava Wettekin. She is also survived by many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving companion, James Barco, who brought happiness and joy to her later years. She left behind some very special friends: Patricia Adams, who was a sister to her for over 70 years, Brett Staskiewicz and Suzi Labeka who she regarded as family, and Sonja Mosbacher who was a wonderful friend to her.
She had many pets over the years who were loved, but she considered her dog, Mattie, her saving grace, but actually they saved each other.
Ruth was a people person who touched many lives and she will leave behind a hole in many hearts. She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and was the life of every party.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, William (Butch), David and John (Jackie) Stafford, her sons-in-law, Tom Payne and Wayne Loughner, and her step-sons, Mike and Mitch Merritt.
Visitation hours will be held at the McCauley Funeral Home, 1405 Main St., Conneautville, PA, 16406 from 1:00 -3:30 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The funeral service and burial will be private and will be officiated by her granddaughter, Reverend Tory Hough.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth asked that donations be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Rd., Meadville, PA, 16335 and The Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd. Meadville, PA 16225, or to an organization of one’s choice.
Anyone who knew Ruth well, knew that she loved to wear bright colors and especially clothing with animal print. The family invites you to honor her memory by wearing such attire to the viewing.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of MCCAULEY FUNERAL HOME, 1405 Main St. Conneautville, PA 16406.
Online Condolences can be left for the family at www.mccauleyfuneralhome.net