Ruth H. Schmidt

Faithful Christian, loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Ruth Schmidt was joyously reunited with her husband, Gerhard, when she died peacefully on Friday evening, September 18, 2026.

Born March 1, 1930, in Dover, Ohio, she was the only child of the late Ernest and Bertha Geiser. She grew up in Dover, where she was a graduate of Dover High School in the class of 1948, before obtaining her registered nurse degree from Saint Luke’s Hospital’s School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio.

On August 23, 1952, she married Gerhard Schmidt, with whom she enjoyed more than 56 years of loving marriage until his death July 29, 2009. They raised a beautiful family, Daniel, Robert, Sally, and John, whom they greatly loved, rearing their four children with Biblical principles and Christian values. Central in their family was faithful membership at First Christian Church in New Philadelphia.

Ruth worked limited hours at Union Hospital, retiring in 1992, as her greatest joy and accomplishment was her family. Family events were well documented thanks to her insistence upon taking many photos and videos. She loved organizing parties for the family and many holidays included a program with riddles, jokes, quizzes, contests, style shows, magic tricks, “give-away” tables, games, door prizes, and many other surprises, much to the delight of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth enjoyed monthly lunch gatherings with her high school classmates and looked forward to sharing the past month’s events during that time. Ruth was active in the Union Hospital Retiree’s Association, “Scarlett Bonnets” Red Hat Society, Christian Builders Adult Bible Class, “Sisters” Bible Study group, the “Lunch Bunch”, Stegmann Cousins Club, and “Merry Movers” fitness class at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center. She organized a “Mini Cousins Club” monthly luncheon for her great-grandchildren, so all the younger ones could play together. Ruth made the most of her time here on Earth, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Her quiet times were good, too, as she enjoyed listening to the Bible Broadcasting Network on FM radio, and to Gospel music, especially her favorite, the Gaither singing group. She was never lonesome, as her family was close, and very devoted. Ruth was also blessed with good friends and great neighbors who supplied her every need.

Ruth will be sadly missed by her children, Dan (Kristie) Schmidt of Dover, Bob (Lisa) Schmidt, of Massillon, Ohio, Sally (Jim) Harding, of Worthington, Ohio, and John (Holly) Schmidt of New Philadelphia as well as her seven grandchildren, Adam (Sarah) Schmidt, Karen (Michael) Mastroine, Jennifer (Mike) Telle, Angela (Dan) Curran, Michael (Lyndsay) Cassidy, Leslie Schmidt, and Logan (Becca) Schmidt. Great-grandchildren Grant (Bridget) Mastroine, Gavin and Truett Mastroine, Kylee, Mason, and Sophia Curran, Jackson Fawcett, Austin Telle, Charlie and Hannah Schmidt, and August Cassidy complete Ruth’s family.

The family would like to thank Dr. Casey Perkowski and the staff and residents of Park Village Dover for taking such good care of Ruth as well as being her friends.

A service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held September 25, 2026 at First Christian Church in New Philadelphia. Visitation at the church is from 9:30 to 11:00, followed by the funeral service with Rev. Jim Borton officiating. After the service she will be laid to rest beside her husband in Dover Burial Park. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory in Dover is handling the arrangements.