Ruth Eleanor Caldwell McKellin Peterson passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday April 3rd, 2014 at Windsor Park.  She was born to Rev. Isaac and Esther Caldwell on April 23rd, 1924 in Madison, Wisconsin. At the age of 8, she accepted Christ into her life.

Ruth graduated high school in Belvidere, IL, and then attended Wheaton College, where she met and married Wilbur ("Bill") McKellin. After time in Evanston, IL and Somerville, NJ, they spent 15 years in Buffalo, NY, where Ruth was very busy with three young boys and church activities.  Some of her fondest memories were of camping with a close-knit group of families—relationships that have remained strong for over 60 years.

After living in St. Louis, the family lived in Deerfield, IL, for 19 years, where Ruth worked as the Executive Assistant to the VP of Finance at Sara Lee.  Ruth and Bill traveled to Norway, Denmark, and France.  After his death in 1985, Ruth visited family and friends in California, Canada, Germany, Nepal, and many countries in Asia and Africa.  A highlight was visiting the still-operating school in Kangundu, Kenya, that her parents started while missionaries in the early 1900s.

Ruth moved into Windsor Park Manor in 1991. She quickly formed friendships and became involved in community activities. She married Rev. Don Peterson in 1994, drawn together through their mutual interest and experiences in Africa.  Ruth also had the opportunity to spend many years with her sister, Marion, who joined her as a resident at Windsor.

Preceding Ruth in death are her first husband Dr. Wilbur H. McKellin, her brother Samuel Caldwell and her sisters Marion Craig and Margaret Caldwell.  Surviving are her brothers Gordon Caldwell and Paul Caldwell (Ruth); sons William McKellin (Karen), Daniel McKellin, and David McKellin (Ruth-Ann); grandchildren Eleanor McKellin, Margaret McKellin Neufeld (Andrew), Scott McKellin, and Kari McKellin; and great-grandchildren Emily and Ava Neufeld.

She is also predeceased by her second husband Rev. Donald Peterson, and is survived by his sons Stephen Lee (Mabel), Donald Mark (Carol Ann), and daughter Carol Ann Peterson; and grandchildren Anne Peterson, Matthew Peterson (Whitney), Andrew Peterson (Brooke), and Cherie Peterson Clark (Jason).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Dickson Valley Camp, 8250 Finnie Rd., Newark, IL 60541.  www.dicksonvalley.com

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 10-11 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187 where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Northfield Union Cemetery in Northfield, IL.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.