Eugenia "Ruth" Gerardi, age 95,
of Waterloo, Illinois, formerly of O'Fallon, passed away Saturday evening, June 10, 2006, at Canterbury Manor Nursing Home, Waterloo. She was born July 22, 1910 to Joseph and Mary Eleanor (nee Collignon) Gerardi in Jerseyville, Illinois.

Ms. Gerardi was a 1939 graduate of Blackburn University. She began her teaching career in a one-room school house known as Twiss Hill, then taught for 6 years at Hough School, north of Dupo. For the next 22 years, she taught in the O'Fallon School District 90 until her retirement. Ruth was a former member of the Ridge Prairie Grange. She was a member of National Retired Teachers Association and Illinois Retired Teachers Association. She was a faithful member of St Clare Catholic Church since 1919, the St Clare Altar Sodality since 1939, and the St Clare Quilters Club. Ruth was a charter member of the SW Illinois Audobon Society and a member of the Enterprise Grange. She enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens and she especially liked visiting with her friends and going out to eat.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Louis J. Gerardi; her sisters, Sister Joyce Gerardi, OSF, Charlotte Gerardi, and Eleanor Gerardi.

She is survived by her nephew, with whom Ruth lived for many years, Louis (Patricia) Gerardi, Sr., of Waterloo, formely of O'Fallon; sister Gertrude (Ed) O'Connor of Murphysboro, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the St. Clare Church Building Fund, 221 W 2nd Street, O'Fallon, IL 62269.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, June 13, 2006 and after 9:00 am, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at St Clare Catholic Church, O'Fallon. The Enterprise Grange will conduct a walk-through at 7:00 pm, Tuesday evening.

Funeral Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at St. Clare Church with Father Jim Deiters presiding.

Interment: St Mary's Cemetery, Trenton, Illinois