Ruth Elaine (Hannafus) Bolles, age 87, of Shelby, passed away peacefully Friday night, August 28, 2026 at Brethren Care Village in Ashland.
Born July 2, 1939 in Shelby, Ruth was number three of the five daughters born to Ernest and Florence (Pry) Hannafus. As the middle daughter, Ruth held a special bond with her sisters, growing up with the older two and, as a teenager, helping care for the younger two. Ruthie was a proud graduate of the Shelby High School Class of 1957 and member of the First Lutheran Church of Shelby.
Upon graduation Ruth traded career for a life of homemaker, wife and mother, a calling she truly loved. She married her best friend, Donald Bolles, in November of 1958 and built her life around caring for him and their children. Ruthie was known to all her family as a premiere party-planner as she hosted many family picnics, reunions, and holiday parties with the best of food, decorations, souvenirs, and gifts. She enjoyed loving and caring for her grandchildren. In later years she, along with her older sister, Rita, spent many hours helping to care for their mother. She spent a short time as a home care nurse aide for Shelby Home and Public Health.
After Don’s retirement, she was a partner with him as they formed REB Builders, building several beautiful homes in the Mansfield/Ontario area. They also enjoyed traveling all over the country in their motor home as members of the GMC Great Lakes Motorhome Club. They had many lovely homes throughout their marriage in Mansfield, Salem, and Ontario, but she was glad to return to Shelby for her final years.
Ruthie loved gardening, arts and crafts, and shopping and was especially fond of the occasional trips they made to casinos throughout their travels. One of her greatest heartfelt bonds was for her dogs, especially the Black Labs she raised over the years, all named Roxanne, lovingly known as Rocky, Rocky II, and Rocky III.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Don; daughter-in-law, Patricia (Shaull) Bolles; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lourita and Ken Yore, Carole and Jerry Pittis, Art Barr, Robert Blankenhorn, and Dave and Janet Bolles; and father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Bea Bolles.
She is survived by her children: Kevin Bolles of Lexington, Lisa (Scott) Kempf of Shelby, and Jane (John) Williams of Shelby; grandchildren: Paul (Rachel) Bolles, Mark (Bessy) Bolles, Kristen (Caleb) Maynard, Eric (Nicole) Bolles, Adam (Tara) Kempf, Ashley Goeden, John (Emily) Williams III, and Jeremy (Jessica) Williams; 11 great grandchildren; sisters, Pamela Blankenhorn and Mary Lee (Carl) Medley; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 1-3 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will immediately follow at 3 pm. Rev. Dr. Russel Yoak will officiate the services. Burial will be in Little London Cemetery, Shelby.
For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to: Southern Care Hospice of Mansfield, 2300 W 4th St, Ste 100, Ontario, OH 44906; Richland County Humane Society, 3025 Park Ave W, Ontario, OH 44906; or Brethren Care Village, 2140 Center Street, Ashland, OH 44805.
Condolences may be left on Ruth’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or Facebook page.
Funeral Home: Penwell Funeral Home
Website: www.PenwellFuneralHome.com