Ruth Virginia Milanick's Obituary
Ruth Virginia Milanick, 95, of Palatka passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka following an extended illness. She had been a frequent visitor to Palatka for decades and a resident for the past 12 years.
Ruth was born in Mazatlan, Mexico to missionary parents, Rev. Howard and Eleanor Champe. At age 2, her family returned to Lebanon, CT after nearly a decade of mission service. As a teen during World War II, she volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol as a spotter on the Connecticut coastline. Ruth graduated from Lebanon, CT High School as valedictorian in 1945. She attended Hiram College in Hiram, OH where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1949. After college, she attended D.T. Watson School in Pittsburgh, PA on an Easter Seals scholarship and received a master's degree in physical therapy. She worked as a physical therapist in Cleveland, OH and later in Zelienople, PA.
While at Hiram College, she met her husband, Alexander Milanick. They wedded in 1950 and celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. Together, they parented, loved, and guided 4 children, 4 foster children, a nephew whom she always considered a son, 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruth was blessed with an outstanding commitment to adventure. She went tobogganing at 70, surfing at 72, dog sledding at 87, snow ziplining and ice repelling at 88, riding camels at 90, and took a chairlift to a snowy Rocky Mountain summit at 91. She also traveled extensively to Alaska, Mexico, Costa Rica, Iceland, Europe, cruised the Panama Canal, and visited many parks including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Park in Montana.
Her favorite activities included picnics, walks on the beach, trips to parks, and observing nature. She loved baking desserts, especially with her children and grandchildren. For over a decade, she prepared the Thanksgiving feast for the large extended family, including making two 20-pound turkeys, a 20-pound ham, and multiple apple and pumpkin pies. Her children fondly remember the tradition of having leftover pie and ice cream for breakfast on the day after Thanksgiving.
Ruth lived her life with open arms and an open heart. She was gifted with the ability to make friends and maintain lifelong friendships. She was more adept with Facebook than all her children. Ruth was an avid letter writer and corresponded often with friends and family. At Christmas time, her mantel would be full of cards and letters from family, elementary school friends, physical therapy patients from 40 years ago, and from chance acquaintances from decades prior who became lifelong friends. Ruth loved her church family. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palatka and active in their Women’s group. She was a former member of the Lions Club of Palatka.
Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Milanick; a daughter, Julie Milanick Howar; a brother, John Champe; and a foster child, Alvin Donahue.
Surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Rev. Don Inglis of Pleasant View, TN; 3 sons, Drs. Mark (Meg) Milanick of Missoula, MT, Dr. Jay Milanick of Crescent Beach, FL and Dr. John Milanick (Anabelle Cedeno) of Palatka; a nephew whom she loved as a son, Dr. George (Mary Pat) Bibel of Akron, OH; 3 foster children, Silas Donahue, Rita Donahue and Carol Donahue Dullen; 9 grandchildren, AJ Howar, CJ Howar, Alysha Howar (Max Krupp), Jonathon Howar, Bill Milanick, Karina Cedeno, Cristian Cedeno, Ivan Milanick, Ariana Milanick; 3 great grandchildren, Ava Krupp, Jeremy Calvo Cedeno, Alonzo Barrantes Cedeno; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Chesterland, OH with her nephew, Rev. David Inglis officiating. A burial service will follow in the St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. The Yurch Funeral Home of Parma, OH will oversee the service and burial.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be sent to Bread of Life charity or the First Presbyterian Church, both of Palatka.
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements. Messages of sympathy may be shared on Ruth’s online tribute page at www.themastersfuneralhome.com.
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