Ruth C. Chambliss, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 20, 2015. A Wheaton resident for 51 years, she was born on March 14, 1927 in Lincoln, Illinois to Emily (Smith) and Frank Turner. As the middle daughter of three girls, Ruth grew up enjoying the outdoors, swimming, canoeing and horses. After graduating from Lincoln High School, she attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana studying Home Economics. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and was involved in many campus activities.

Ruth met her future husband on a blind date to the Indianapolis 500 Race. She married Gordon Delmar Chambliss on June 27, 1948 in Lincoln. They lived and raised their two children in the Alton area until Gordon's job transferred them to Wheaton in 1963. Ruth was a dedicated leader in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton for 51 years. She especially treasured her friends in Elizabeth Circle and was recognized by PW (Presbyterian Women) with an Honorary Life Membership.

Ruth was involved in the community as a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Wheaton Women's Republican Club and the Wheaton Community Relations Commission, serving for 24 years. She was employed as a Teacher Aide in the Visually Impaired Classroom at Butterfield School in Lombard. She had a real heart for children.

She was an active supporter and participant in her family's activities throughout the years, including sledding down a hill with her great granddaughter at age 83! She especially enjoyed gardening and playing racquetball, tennis and golf. She organized and facilitated many events for her various organizations. Forever the great cook, she focused on healthy eating and lifestyle long before it was popular. She was an encourager and loyal friend to many, a gracious hostess and courageous woman of faith. As a three-time cancer survivor, she was an inspiration to many. She loved her family dearly and cherished her role as a grandmother. She always put others first.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Gordon, her parents, sister Jane Scott, brother-in-law Richard Dashner, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Marie and Charles Tapscott.

She is survived by her son, Walter (Lauretta) of Lilburn, GA, daughter, Susan (William) Kamm of Wheaton, sister Alice Dashner of Geneva, brother-in-law Chuck Scott of Athens, OH, grandchildren Jay (Tiffany) Kamm of Austin, TX, Jennifer (Finn) Smith of Alpharetta, GA, Adam (Desty) Kamm of Chicago and Julie (Sean) Murray of Jacksonville, FL, Great Grandchildren Will and Katie Kamm, Austin, Kamryn and Finley Smith, Sydney Kamm, Griffin and Lauren Murray, many nieces and nephews, and also her loving caregivers Donna, Harriet, Helen, Krystyna and Teresa.

Visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of a Memorial Service to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church , 715 N. Carlton, Wheaton, IL. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to First Presbyterian Church, www.firstpreswheaton.org or DuPage Children's Museum, www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org would honor her.