Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
Ruth Stover
Ruth Cailey Stover, age 99, formerly of Celina, Ohio and Cincinnati, Ohio passed away peacefully in her sleep at 6:34 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Ruth Cailey Stover, was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 6, 1926. Shortly after her birth she was adopted by Lee Blackman Cailey (Brown County, Ohio), and Katherine Cailey (nee Kain) (Clermont County, Ohio). She was their only child who enjoyed reading and playing the piano.
After graduation from Hamilton Township High School in Franklin County, Ohio, she graduated from Olivet Nazarene College (Kankakee, IL) with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Later she completed a Master of Arts in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.
Ruth's teaching career spanned over forty years from 1948 to the mid 1990's. She taught business administration at schools across Ohio including Celina City Schools, Wright State University (Celina), and Tri-Star Career Compact (Celina).
On August 26, 1950 she married D. W. Stover of Rockford, Ohio. They were married fifty-nine and one-half years.
Ruth is survived by three sons and daughters-in- law: Greg and Linda Stover of Lake Waynoka, Ohio, Brent Stover and Stephanie Emmons of Austin Texas, Galen and Jenny Stover of Westerville, Ohio; and daughter and son-in-law: Brenda and Bryan Slone of Lexington, Kentucky. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and spouses: Philip Stover and Ursula Ster, Geoffrey (Emily) Stover, Christopher (Kelly) Stover, Andrew Stover, Daniel Stover, Julia Stover, Nathan (Pearl) Stover, Kathryn Stover, Megan (Nic) Tiberio, Amanda Slone and Adam Lynch, and Jacob Slone; and ten great-grandchildren: Emma and Luka Stover, Ava, Kara, Ellie, and Caleb Stover, Wyatt, Maddie, and Zachary Stover; and Cade Tiberio.
Ruth was a member of the Grand Lake United Methodist Church (Celina, Ohio), where she served in numerous roles. Additionally, she was a member of the Ohio Education Association, the National Education Association, Ohio Retired Teachers' Association (Life Member), the Celina History Club, and Pi Delta Epsilon (now Alpha Phi Gamma). She participated in PTA, PTO, and was a Cub Scout Den Mother for her children.
Ruth trusted her Savior Jesus Christ. She loved to spend time with her family, work crossword puzzles, and cheer for her beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. D. W. and Ruth had season tickets to OSU football for 75 years.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Grand Lake United Methodist Church, 119 E. Fulton Street, Celina, Ohio 45822. Visitation will precede the funeral service from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Grand Lake Church. Burial will follow the service in the North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio.
Condolences will be received at lehmandzendzelfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Oakstone Academy (School for Children with Autism) (900 Club Drive, Westerville, OH 43081), The American Heart Association (Dayton Division) (1313 W. Dorothy Lane, Dayton, Ohio 45409 or www.heart.org), and/or Olivet Nazarene University (1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 or www.olivet.edu).
