Ruth M. Bushong Ely, formerly of Lancaster, passed away at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown on Friday, March 11, 2011. She was born October 19, 1916, the daughter of the late Harry and Jennie Milley. She was the wife of the late Jay Bushong to whom she was married for over 31 years and the late John Ely with whom she shared 7 years until his death in 1990.

Ruth was employed by American Seed Company during World War II and again after Jay's death. She and Jay had spent many happy hours in the company of their large number of friends dancing and playing cards. With John, she traveled throughout the United States and sailed the high seas, including a trans-Atlantic cruise on the QE II, and she gave him loving care during his last illness.

She is survived by her daughter Barbara, wife of John Graeter, and two grandsons, Chris Graeter, husband of Julie Colville, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Tim Graeter, husband of Rachel Cantwell, Kettering, Ohio, and granddaughters Claire, Lindsey, Emily, Audrey and Hannah, along with five sisters, Kathleen Milley, Mary Kittinger, Catherine (Kitty) Guinter and Sylvia Erisman, all of Lancaster, and by Margaret Milley of New Mexico, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She also leaves a stepson, Albert Ely and his wife Mary Jane, of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, and their children John, David and Megan and six great-grandchildren. Ruth's brothers Charles, Richard and Robert Milley predeceased her.

The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the staff and employees of Masonic Village, especially in the Lafayette East neighborhood, for the kindness and love they extended to Ruth during the time she was with them.

A Memorial Service will take place Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11 AM, with Chaplain Timothy A. Nickel officiating, at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 N. George St., Millersville, PA. Friends may greet the family from 10-11 AM at the funeral home. Private Interment in Riverview Burial Park. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be sent to Masonic Charities, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 717-872-5041