SPRING VALLEY - Ruth Elston, 67, of Spring Valley, formerly of Mendota, passed away April 24, 2017 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mendota with Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 at the Schwarz Funeral Home with a rosary recited at 4:45 p.m.

Ruth was born June 10, 1949 in Mendota to Gerald and Dorothy (Spanier) Elston.

Survivors include her mother of Mendota; three brothers, John (Christine) Elston, Mark Elston and Neil (Sylvia) Elston, all of Mendota; two sisters, Mary (Alan) Russell and Anne (Phillip) Caylor, both of Mendota; a sister-in-law, Liz (Randy) Elston Tucker of Mendota; seven nephews, five nieces and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald and brother, Paul, both in 1998, and two sisters-in-law, Sarah Elston in 2005 and Chris Elston in 2008.

Ruth graduated from Mendota High School in 1967, earned a Bachelor’s in music education from Illinois State University in 1971 and a Master’s in human development counseling from Sangamon State. She was employed as a music education teacher for the Springfield School District. She was a lifelong member of the National Honor Society and was a member of Holy Cross Church, where she sang in the choir. She supported the Sauk Valley Humane Society.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be sent at schwarzfuneral.com.