Ruth Marie Wernsman, age 84, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Lanesville, Indiana and Centralia, Illinois, asleep in Jesus at 7:25 P.M. on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at home in Chicago, Illinois with her family at her side. Ruth was born on June 12, 1930 in Centralia, Illinois, the daughter of Benjamin and Olinda (Hussman) Sprehe. She married Walter Dean Wernsman on July 1, 1950 in Centralia, Illinois, with whom she was married for 50 years, and he preceded her in death on September 24, 2001.

She is survived by her son, Walter "Jamie" Wernsman and wife Lora of Lebanon, Ohio; daughter Kristi Heinz and husband Reverend Richard of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Wayne Sprehe of Saint Louis, Missouri, sister, Marilyn Howell of Mesa, Arizona, grandchildren Tori Wernsman, Sam Wernsman and Ben Heinz; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert (Bobby) Sprehe of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mrs. Wersman was an active member of the Lutheran Church, originally at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia, Illinois, and later at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lanesville, Indiana and St. John's Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois. She was active in many church organizations and Bible studies in these congregations. She graduated from Carlyle High School. Mrs. Wernsman has been a telephone operator for Illinois Bell, a bookkeeper for Centralia Candy Company, the family business, and a cook for Centralia Township High School.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Mark Buetow officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois. Friends may call from 8:00 A.M. until the time of services at 10:00 A.M. on Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia, Illinois. Memorial Contributions may be made in Mrs. Wernsman's memory to St. John's Lutheran Church located at 4939 West Montrose Avenue in Chicago, Illinois 60641 and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral home in Centralia, Illinois. Online Condolences of Sympathy may be left for Mrs. Wernsman's family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook.