Ruth Ann Ragsdale, age 79, of St. Elmo, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care Center in Mattoon.

A private graveside service will be held for her family. Memorials may go to Lutheran care Center or the donor's choice.

Mrs. Ragsdale was born on August 16, 1944 in St. Elmo, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence and Ruth (Calvert) Haslett. She married Jim Ragsdale on August 16, 1986, he preceded her in death on May 4, 2014. She earned a BS and MS in Education at Eastern Illinois University. She taught for several years at Altamont Grade School. After leaving teaching, she worked at the Fayette County Health Department in Vandalia.

She is survived by her brother, Leonard Haslett (wife Marilyn) of Bridgeport; nephew, Eric Haslett (wife Suzanne) of Mattoon; nieces, Gina Lucas (husband Larry) of Bridgeport and Tricia Ubellacker (husband Kent) of Georgetown, Kentucky. She also leaves several great and great great-nieces and nephews. She was very proud of all her nieces and nephews.