Ruth Esther Young

Ruth Esther Ralston Young met her Lord and Savior on March 19, 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a devoted wife, an honored mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is already missed by her family and friends. Ruth was born at home in Clinton, Indiana, to Frank and Opal Ralston on March 11, 1933. She often talked about her father being well read and a supervisor in the coal mines near Clinton. Like her mother, she too loved gardening and cooking. Just after high school, she was invited to a youth rally where she heard the gospel and became a true believer in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Being around Ruth, it would not take long for it to become evident that she was truly a believer as her faith in Jesus showed in everything she did. This faith led her to pursue higher education at Taylor University. Ruth met her future husband when she first arrived at TU. Harry was an older student who had been assigned to pick up new students at the bus station. After picking her up, Harry later told a friend “she is just here for her ‘MRS’ degree.” Turns out he was right. Ruth and Harry married on June 7, 1959. After a short time in Winona Lake, IN, they moved to Oak Harbor, Ohio, Harry’s hometown. Sensing the Lord leading them to join the Christian school movement, they moved to Indianapolis in 1968 with their 4 children where Harry began teaching at Southside Christian School and later both of them taught at Heritage Christian School. Ruth was glad to be closer to her family and childhood home in Clinton. During the children’s school years, Ruth was resourceful, diligent, and devoted. She would rise early and prepare breakfast and pack lunches for the entire family every day. In addition to raising four children, Harry and Ruth would take in anyone in need, inviting them to live with the 6 of them. Through the years they had over a dozen different people live with them. If not already family, these people became like family and some are still close to this day. Ruth exhibited God’s grace in meeting people’s needs when she had the opportunity. She and Harry were truly a blessing to many, many people. Ruth enjoyed numerous activities which included bowling, sewing, crocheting, cooking, refinishing furniture, singing in the choir, teaching children at church, playing cards, and had a passion for gardening. She was especially known for her strawberry patch. Annually, she would make strawberry pies and strawberry jam, both of which were gladly shared with others. Always up for a challenge, at one time she even taught English to a group of Japanese ladies. Along with her husband, Ruth served the Lord faithfully for many years at Burge Terrace Baptist Church, as well as Free Presbyterian Church, College Park Baptist Church and New Palestine Bible Church. Through her service and love for the Lord, she left a legacy at each church. Shortly after celebrating 50 years of marriage, Ruth lost Harry in 2010. Continuing her gift of hospitality, a few years later she invited a longtime family friend, Dawn Donahue, to move in with her. As early as 2017, Ruth started showing signs of memory loss. Through the next 9 years, Alzheimer’s disease would slowly degenerate her mind. In God’s providence, Dawn became Ruth’s primary caregiver in her time of greatest need. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dawn for her tender and loving care for their mother as this disease took its toll. Survivors include her son Matthew Young (Cathy), daughter Sara Fugate (Mark), son Jonathan Young (Janelle), grandchildren Benjamin Fugate, Rachel (Stephen) Anderson, Aaron Fugate, Lauren Lenox (Ben), Lance Young (Shelby), Rebecca Baucum, Timothy Baucum, Darius Clay, Shakira Clay and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry A. Young; sister, Frances Zawadzki; and daughter, Naomi Clay. Pastor Brett Crump of New Palestine Bible Church will conduct a service on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 2:00pm at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel 9606 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46229. Visitation will be from 12pm until service time at the chapel. Burial will be at Orchard Hill Cemetery (New Bethel Cemetery). The family would like to especially thank the staff at The Wellington for their kindness and tender care during the last weeks of Ruth’s life. Also the family would like to thank Anchor of Hope Hospice for their guidance and care during the difficult last days.

Tributes

Ruth Esther Young

March 11, 1933 - March 19, 2026