Obituary for Ruthella Mae (Flinn) Cludy

Ruthella Mae (Flinn) Cludy 103

of Dunkirk 

Ruthella Mae (Flinn) Cludy, 103, joined her husband, Charles in heaven on November 11, 2023, at 5:20 A.M. at the Sunrise Assisted Living Center of Findlay. She lived her adult life in Dunkirk, Ohio and knew nearly everyone in town. Ruthella was born in Goshen Township in Hardin County on April 16, 1920, to Ira “Frank” and Mamie Jane (Reefer) Flinn. She was the second of Frank and Mamie’s five daughters and helped them on the farm beginning with a team of horses. She readily admitted she was glad when her parents bought a tractor as “I didn’t get along with the horses. They wouldn’t do what I told them to do!”. She was a powerful and determined woman who always spoke her mind. 

On August 24, 1947, she married Charles E. Cludy at the Flinn homestead. They enjoyed 34 years of marriage before his untimely death on November 20, 1981. A woman of many talents, she and Charles gutted and remodeled their house in Dunkirk doing the work of putting down flooring, installing wiring, and shingling the roof themselves. She proudly resided there for 73 years until her death. Even over the age of 100, she checked her own oil in her car and continued to drive.

Caring for others was especially important to her. She drove church members and friends to doctors’ appointments and helped them clean their homes or run errands. As a young lady, she watched babies and cared for ailing neighbors in their homes. She was always ready to jump in and help care for her nieces and nephews at a moment’s notice as she and Charles were unable to have their own children.

She leaves behind many, many treasured friends and relatives whom she cared for throughout the years. Ruthella was heavily involved in the church activities and the community, both in Kenton and Dunkirk. She was named “Outstanding Citizen” by the Hardin County Council on Aging, was parade marshal in the Dunkirk Parade, and volunteered for the Board of Elections every year as a proud Democrat.

Never one to sit still or leave something untidy or undone she had a passion for daily living of her faith. She served many years, many years as a Trustee of the Grace United Methodist Church in Dunkirk, even serving as President. She was often first at the church on a Sunday morning, even in the ice and snow, to open the doors, shovel the walks and ready the church for services. She never ate a meal without giving thanks to her Lord and started her day with reading devotions.

Preceding her in death are her parents and 3 sisters, Mary Evelyn George, Wanda Mae Staley, and Norma Jane Sherman. She often remembered her dearest friends, George and Wanda Conn after their passing. Surviving is a sister, Minnie Bash of Forest and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great-grand nieces, and great-grand nephews, that she loved as her own. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at The Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton with Pastor Gregg King officiating. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery in Kenton. Friends and family may visit 2 hours prior to services at the funeral home. 

Memorial donations in Ruthella’s honor may be made to the Hardin County Council on Agin Center or the Grace United Methodist Church in Dunkirk. 

Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net.