Stephen Ray Ruble, 80, of Belle Center, passed away at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, in the Lost Creek Healthcare & Rehab Center, Lima.
He was born in Ridgeway, Ohio, on June 26, 1942, the son of the late Raymond and Rosella (Billingsley) Ruble.
On January 31, 1987, he married Judith “Judy” Brown McDonald Ruble, and she survives.
He is also survived by two sons; Stephen “Todd” (Kori) Ruble of Rushsylvania, Jeff (Robyn) Ruble of Ridgeway, two stepdaughters; Jodi McDonald of Belle Center and Robyn McDonald of Bellefontaine, four grandchildren; Brad, Lance, Ryan, and Alyssa, three great grandchildren; Bexley, Mila, and Valley, a sister, Beverly Gwinner, several nieces and nephews, many close friends and his former wife, Gloria “Cookie” Ward of Bellefontaine.
Stephen worked as a machine operator at DAB in Bellefontaine until his retirement. He had coached his boys in baseball and liked to go racoon hunting. He also enjoyed gardening, growing large pumpkins, and going to auctions. He raised goats, donkeys and other animals and had received the nickname “Donkey Man”. He spent time with his friends drinking coffee at the coffee shop in Belle Center.
Pastor Kevin Smith will officiate a private funeral service for the family and there will be no public service nor funeral meal.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Bank Co. (Belle Center or West Mansfield branch) for a fund set up to go towards placing a memorial bench with Stephen’s name on it downtown Belle Center.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Belle Center, is honored to serve the Ruble family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.