Obit of Ruth (McClain) Hilligoss Puffer

Ruth was the 2nd wife of Lester Puffer

Ruth Lucille Hilligoss Puffer, 91, of Arizona, formerly of Bayles Lake, Loda passed away 1:49 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E Pells, Paxton with Rev. Timothy Hahn officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Ruth was born August 1, 1927 in Champaign County the daughter of William and Blanche Withrow McClain. She married Edward Hilligoss in June 1947. He preceded her in death August 1979. She later married Lester Puffer October 31, 1992 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda. He preceded her in death May 23, 2003. She is survived by her son, John P. Hilligoss of Apache Junction, AZ; one step son, Michael Puffer of Kankakee; one step daughter, Sharon Berns of Clifton; three grandchildren, one great grandson, one great granddaughter, five step grandchildren, and six step great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and five sisters. Ruth grew up on a farm west of Paxton. She attended grade school at the Amity Country School and graduated from Paxton High School in 1945. She worked for seven years for General Telephone Company, Paxton and retired from Ameritech Telephone Company in Chicago. After retiring in May 1984, she moved from Chicago to Bayles Lake, Loda. She then lived in Cape Canaveral, Florida for 10 years before moving to Arizona in 2014. Ruth was a past president of American Legion Auxiliary, past treasurer of Bayles Lake Association, and a past member of the Bayles Lake Auxiliary, Telephone Company PIONEERS, and Lakeview Country Club. While living in Florida she was a past president of Cape Shores, Cape Canaveral. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and crocheting. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda, American Legion Auxiliary or an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.