Ruth E. "Sis" Kleckner, of Eshcol, was called home to her Heavenly Father with family by her side on January 3, 2021. She was born July 31, 1935 to M. Maude (Adams) and Rev. Robert Ditmer. She was raised in Tuscarora, Juniata County. She was a life long member of the Tuscarora Church of the Brethren, where she still attended. In 1954 she graduated from Tuscarora Valley High School, Port Royal, where she was head majorette in the band.
Sis enjoyed camping, visiting the beach, traveling to Benezette to view the elk, watching and riding old trains, attending family gatherings where she could dance and have fun. She loved all animals, adopting many strays in her lifetime including a squirrel and a crow. Sis had a silly sense of humor and a young at heart spirit. She retired from the West Perry School District where she was a teacher's aid at Carroll Elementary School for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Barry Kleckner Sr., who passed in 1993, a fiance, Clarence "Moe" Beasom who passed in 2010 and brother Ralph Ditmer. She is survived by her children, Tina Kitner (Kirby), Barry "Skip" Kleckner Jr. (Pam). Robert Kleckner (Robin), Jeanette Magaro (Bill Gusler), and Stacy Trout., brother Robert Ditmer (Diane), Moe's children Tinker Szabo and Buffy Keiser and their families, grandchildren: Cristi Kitner, Jeremy Magaro, Kurtis Gusler, Hannah Kleckner Hall, Myrannda Kleckner, Jodi Sheppard, Casey Rohm and Emily Sheppard and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving is companion Ralph Fry of Thompsontown and his children Vickie Liske , Michael Fry and Tonya Hotaling and their families.
Private services will be held at convenience of the family due to the COVID regulations. A memorial celebration will be held when regulations allow.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ruth's name to the Perry County Animal Rescue, 507 Sugar Run Road, Killerstown, PA 17062.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/1/11 - Image Year: 1954
Ruth Ditmer as she appeared in her TVHS Yearbook photo.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/2/14 - Image Year: 2014
TVHS CLASS 54-55 REUNION: (Sept 27, 2014 at Turbett Grange, Turbett Twp., Juniata Co., PA) Front row [left to right]: JoAnne Landis Heckert, Gretchen Burdge Arnold, Joanne Ulsh Allen, Joan Bardell Weiand, Kay Crimmel Leach, Beverly Ritzman Hood. Back row [left to right]: George Stake, Earl Kepner, Ruth Ditmer Kleckner, Harold Allen, Dorice McClure Pontius, James Taylor, Belva Naylor Fulton, Harold Book, Gayle Meloy Cisney, Stephen Schwarz. (Photo taken and submitted by Harold Hartman, Jr.)
