Mrs. Ruth Gaberdiel, 100, of Zephyrhills, FL, died Tue, Feb 15, 1994, at Dade City Hospital.
Mrs. Gaberdiel resided in Benton Harbor until 1968 when she moved to Florida. She was a member of Zephyrhills United Methodist Church and Colonial Chapter 319, O.E.S. in Benton Harbor. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and crocheting.
Mrs. Gaberdiel was born in Kalkaska on Aug 16, 1893 to George and Jennie Herring Eckhardt. She married Don Hewitt in 1911, and he died in 1944. In 1948, she was married to William Hippensteel who preceded her in death in 1970. On May 27, 1971, in Stevensville, she was married to Willis Gaberdiel who survives.
Besides her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Lucile Long of Benton Harbor, Doris Molter of Dowagiac, and Barbara Bailey of Stevensville; one step son, Don Gaberdiel of Grand Rapids; one step daughter, June Larsen of Grand Rapids; 16 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and eight great great grandchildren.
One son, Walter Hewitt, two daughters, Donna Ettinger and Bette Hewitt and two grandchildren, preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held Sat, Feb 19, 1994, at the Wolfe Funeral Home in Kalkaska. Rev. Charles VanLente, pastor of the Kalkaska United Methodist Church, officiated. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, Kalkaska. An Eastern Star Memorial Service was held following funeral services.
