Elsie E. Ruth, 89, of Emmaus, died June 22, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospital. She was the wife of the late Mark R. Ruth Sr. Born in Zionsville, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Rose (Lagler) Schmaldinst.

She worked as a supervisor for the former Emmaus Shirt Factory for many years before retiring.

She was a member of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was involved with outreach for many years.

She is survived by a son, Mark R. Jr. and his wife, Cynthia, of Vera Cruz; a brother, Richard Schmaldinst and his wife, Cindy; sisters, Barbara Rohrbach and Theresa and her husband, LeRoy Shankweiler; grandchildren, Aaron Reynolds and his wife, Stephanie, Nathan Reynolds and his wife, Angela, Abraham and Jordan; three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon D. Reynolds, a brother, Raymond Schmaldinst, and sisters, Dorothy Fegley and Rose Vargo.

Contributions may be made to the church.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. June 30 in Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5901 Kings Highway South, Old Zionsville, 18068. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Arrangements were made by the Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus.