Ruth Dottie Marie (Conklin) Nicholas

    Ruth Dottie Marie Nicholas, age 94, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023, at her daughter's home.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, with Pastor Katherine Strouse officiating. Burial will follow at Lowe Cemetery, Essex Twp., MI. Visitation will be held 4-6 P.M. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at funeral home.

     Ruth was born in North Plains Twp., MI on August 21, 1928, the daughter William Winfield and Camilla Irene (Adams) Conklin. She graduated from Lyons High School with the class of 1946.  On June 22, 1946, Ruth married Keith LeRoy Nicholas in St. Johns, MI.  They were blessed with sixty-three years of marriage, prior to his passing on December 10, 2009.

     When she was young, Ruth loved to dance. She also was in school plays, and liked to go sledding and ice skating as a girl. She enjoyed working in her garden and flower beds. She liked knowing what was going on in the neighborhood. She liked fishing. She was an amazing cook and baker; her family loved her peach cobbler, molasses cookies, and homemade bread. She loved to her family and looked forward to big family dinners.

     Ruth is survived by three children: Patricia (Terry) Parsley of St. Johns, MI; Scott (Deb) Nicholas of Ithaca, MI; and Tim (Bonny) Nicholas of St. Johns, MI; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Keith, daughter Jean (Duane) DeLong, grandson Jeremy Nicholas, five siblings: Maynard (Doris) Conklin, Levi (Barbara) Conklin, Catherine (Vern) Counsellor, and Genevieve (Richard) Slater.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.