Ruth E. Fair, age 81, of St. Elmo, Illinois, passed away at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

There will be no service at this time.

Ruth was born on April 11, 1938 in St. Elmo, Illinois to Harry and Lois (Cox) Kepner.    She married Benny J. Fair on July 14, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in St. Elmo, Illinois by Reverend Frank Claybourne.  Ruth loved taking care of children. She raised three families and was a nanny and babysitter for several children.  She enjoyed baking, reading books and playing the piano.  She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and all her family.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Ben Fair of St. Elmo, Illinois; one son, Mikel  Fair of Brightwood, Oregon; two daughters, Patti Booher (husband Mike) of Lake Arthur, Louisiana and Pam Johnson (husband David) of Vandalia area, Illinois; one brother, David Kepner (wife Jennifer) of Springfield, Illinois; three sisters, Sue McHenry of Springfield, Illinois, Jeannie Hodson of Friendswood, Texas and Annie Harnish (husband Marlin) of Altamont, Illinois; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Lois Kepner.