Rev. Ruth E. Starr

December 14, 1926 - December 17, 2020

The Rev. Ruth E. Starr, 94, died December 17, at her home in Parkside Court in Columbus, Ind. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1926 to Edgar M. and Mary McKee Starr and moved home to Orange, Indiana, with them in 1960. She was a graduate of Earlham College and the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. As minister, chaplain, Girl Scout leader, and friend, she lived her life for others. Working as a secretary at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Rushville, she was inspired to enter the ministry and was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1972. She served numerous congregations in southern Indiana as minister over the following decades: Faith United and Wesley United Methodist Churches in Rushville; Trafalgar and Peoga; Shelburn and Ebenezer; Shoals and Hindostan; Leipsic and Old Union near Orleans. After retiring from the active ministry, she became the Parish Visiting Pastor for St. Paul's in Rushville, serving as a chaplain at Miller's Merry Manor in Rushville. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, George W. Starr. Survivors include her nephews Bill (Vania) Starr of Columbus, Ind., and Richard (Liz) Starr of Arlington, Va., her niece Mary (Mark) Ellison of Chillicothe, Ill., eight great-nieces and nephews, one great-great niece, a sister-in-law, Jeanne Starr of Columbus, Ind., and a dear "niece" of many years, Kim Hickman, whom she met during her ministry in Shoals. Private Services have been made for The Rev. Ruth E. Starr. Memorial contributions may be made out to the Orange Community Church of the Cross, P.O. Box 65, Glenwood, IN 46133.