2023 09/18 – Ruby Schell Bartley Chapman

Ruby Schell Bartley Chapman, 93, of Salem, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 25, 1930, in Omega Township to Virgil E. and Lora P. (Littrell) Bartley. She married Donald Eugene Chapman of Omega on May 1, 1949, and he preceded her in death on October 9, 1979.

Ruby is survived by her children: Sandra Lee (Chapman) Keefe of Towanda and Rickey Eugene Chapman and wife Jerri of Salem; four grandchildren: Chad Keefe and wife Erin of Normal, Shelley Fincham and husband Jeff of Piper City, Stacey Russell and husband Mike of Salem, Nicole Morris and husband Joshua of Salem; great-grandchildren: Will Keefe and Delaney Keefe both of Normal, Amber Fincham and Morgan Fincham of Piper City, Hunter Russell, Mya Russell, and Ayden Morris all of Salem; brothers: Delbert Bartley and wife Evelyn of Iuka and Sherrill Bartley and wife Pat of Fairfield; sisters-in-law: Mary Bartley of Salem and Ruby Bartley of Christiansburg, VA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Virgil and Lora Bartley, an infant son: David Alan Chapman, son-in-law: Bill Keefe, brothers: Verl Bartley, Leland Joy Bartley, Roger Bartley, and Robert Bartley, sisters: Evelyn Rose Bartley, Maxine Bartley, and Florice (Bartley) Poore, Norma Hicks, and Carolyn Marshall, sister-in-law: Berniece Bartley, brothers-in-law: Eugene Poore, Charles Hicks and Bernard Marshall.

Ruby worked as a secretary for Leymone Hardcastle and Company in Salem for many years. She volunteered for the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Salem Township Hospital. Ruby was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Salem. She had a passion for quilting and dancing. Ruby loved and cherished her family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 18, 2023, at 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Salem with Dr. Andy DeWitt officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Salem. Visitation will be held Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sleep in Heavenly Peace and/or Mission Salem and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home at 310 North Broadway/ P.O. Box 97 Salem, Illinois 62881, (618)548-1234, who is honored to be of service to Ruby’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Homes Facebook Page.