Obituaries

Ruth Eleanor Herr Doolittle Powers, 82

August 24, 2019

Ruth Eleanor Herr Doolittle Powers of Lancaster, PA, age 82, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Great God and Heavenly Father after a 4 year battle with cancer, on August 24th, 2019, surrounded at home by her beloved family. Born December 23, 1936 in Lancaster, PA she was the daughter of the late Robert Christian Herr and Sarah Letitia (Reese) Herr.

She was the faithful and devoted wife of the late Lt. Col Marvin Powers for 19 years, and was previously married to the late Charles E. Doolittle. She was a mother, stepmother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, neighbor, and friend to many. Ruth prayed faithfully for her large circle of family and friends.

Ruth’s purpose in life was to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ, to whom she surrendered her life to as a teenager. Her greatest desire was for others to have the same peace, joy, and the assurance of eternal life through her Lord and Savior.

Ruth continually showed hospitality by opening her heart and home to anyone the Lord placed in her path. She loved her neighbors at Regent’s Park, where she started and led multiple Bible studies, a Social Committee and organized frequent picnics and bus trips to NYC . She was an active member and former deaconess at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she is remembered by her faithful attendance and continued joyfulness. Prior to that Ruth worshiped for many years with Marvin at Lancaster Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

Ruth and Marvin founded American Home Life International (AHLI), a ministry and homestay program for international students which provides both educational and cultural experiences as well as the opportunity for students to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ruth served as President of AHLI from 1981 to 2006. She hosted hundreds of students in her home for more than 50 years and traveled extensively to Japan and other countries, leading tours to American host families. She was a compelling speaker to students in international highschools and colleges about the many AHLI opportunities.

Ruth served as a Board Member of Millersville International House, Streams of Water, Inc. and American Home Life International, Inc. In 1988, Ruth received the American Christian Patriot Award from Dayspring Christian Academy. Ruth loved the arts and often attended the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Fulton Theatre, and Broadway shows in NYC. She enjoyed entertaining frequently, and when not traveling to visit close friends and family around the world, there was usually a friend or guest enjoying her company. She loved to read, spend time with family and friends at the beach, and loved to play Scrabble and Words with Friends!

Ruth graduated from Penn Manor High School in 1954, the Pennsylvania State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and Social Studies, and completed coursework in graduate studies at Millersville University. She was a high school English teacher from 1977 to 1981 at Penn Manor High School. Prior to that she taught in several other school districts, including York Suburban HS, Ben Lippen HS, Asheville, NC and Blue Ridge HS, Milford, Pa.

Ruth is survived by her four children; David (Sue) Doolittle, Columbia, PA, Dr. Daniel (Pam) Doolittle, Carbondale, IL, Cindy (Mark) Witmer, Ephrata, PA and Douglas, (Sarah), Doolittle, Richmond, VA.

She is also survived by her step-children; Marvin C. (Mary) Powers Rogersville, TN, Charles (Cathy) Powers, Boulogne St. Mer, France, Linda L. (Jeff) Harnish, Laura L. Schanz, and Lydia L. Herr, all of Lancaster, John Paul J., (Tammy) Powers, Ephrata, PA, Lois L. (David), Holland, Menlo, GA, Anthony W. (Yuko) Powers, Elizabethtown, PA. She was preceded in death by her stepdaughter LaVonda L. (Bob) Popish, Jr., Ringtown, PA and stepson-in-law, Terry T. Schanz, Lancaster, PA.

Ruth was very blessed by a total of 40 Grandchildren and 46 Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her twin grandsons, Caleb and Andrew Doolittle and step-grandson, Joshua C. Powers, Afghanistan.

Ruth remained close friends to her four siblings; Sally Alecxih (Peter, Sr.), Columbia, PA, Helen Sisco (Harold), Lancaster, PA, Nancy MacNamara, (Michael) Birmingham, AL, and brother, C. Willis (Martha) Herr, Marathon, FL, as well as to her 17 nieces and nephews and their extended families.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, August 31st from 6-8:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA. A memorial service will take place at the church at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 1st, followed by food and fellowship with the family. Reverend William Davies and Dr. John Light will be officiating. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth’s Memory can be made to American Homelife International “Ruth & Marvin Powers Trust Fund” at www.amhomelife.org to provide educational scholarships, especially for the children of Christian workers; or to Bible Centered Ministries International- designated for “Chuck & Cathy Powers” www.bcmintl.org.

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Condolences to the Family

September 07, 2019

Dear Family of Ruth
On behalf of By Streams of Water, Inc. (BSOW) I would like to express our deepest sympathies to you. BSOW was established by the late Dr. Pauline Chiang (1951-2010), Ruth’s long time friend, in 2004, as a not-for-profit, tax free organization, under IRS code 501(c) (3), aiming for caring of Chinese single families in the US and in Taiwan (Taiwan-BSOW was established in 2007). Ruth served as a board member of US-BSOW from the inception to a few years ago due to health reasons. She had always been supportive to BSOW, even after she resigned from the board. We appreciate her dedication to caring ministries and her continuous support and encouragement. She had also a special burden on caring of Chinese students and families in the US, an d was a role model of Godly person for us to follow.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We believe you will be proud of Ruth’s contributions in her life time, and pray you feel God’s comfort for the loss of her.
Dr. Yinkann Wen, President of BSOW

August 31, 2019

Dear family and friends of Ruth,
Our deepest sympathies to you. I was blessed to have been introduced to Ruth many years ago. A poor college student at the time, I was equally delighted to then be in the employ of her son David, and wife, Sue. We will not be the same without her but will be changed forever because of her.
Leslie (Gow) and Daniel Munyan

August 30, 2019

Ruth was my dearest friend having first met on Kready Avenue in 1968. She was a Rock in my life often. I never heard her complain about anything, not even when she became ill. The only time was some years back when she was cleaning up her lower apartment after the grandchildren has visited, they had gone home, and she found they had spilled potato chips on the floor and walked across them. Never otherwise. And she had the funny story about one of her children when they were young, putting dog food kibble in to the soap dispenser of the dishwasher, eventually getting it to stop. I can’t remember who did that but years later, grown up, he confessed to that. But all she and I did was laugh about it so many years later. God bless her forever. I treasure the many memories I have of being with her when we did things together.
Marilyn (Hamid) Lieber

August 30, 2019

Deepest conolences Helen , to you and your family. I’ll always remember years ago , her school year , when she’d come to our house with my sister . I know she was ill for some time , however it still is never easy. Deepest sympathy . Gail Smith

August 29, 2019

My dear grandfather went to Japan as part of a God-directed trip around the world in the late 1950’s. It was always my desire to visit that country in like manner. When I received an email talking about a trip to homes in Japan my husband said, “I think this is something you should do.” I received the email because I had participated in the ‘tutoring English’ part of American Home Life International. Ruth hosted this trip and that is how I met her. Oh, my! She was just bursting with energy and a cup running over with love for the Lord and His Good News! I admired her ability to lead us in such a gracious manner. I had opportunity to share the Gospel with one of my hosts who asked Jesus into her heart and joined a neighborhood Bible study lead by one of Ruth’s friends. I have a multitude of powerful memories of that trip.
One month ago I retired and it was my full intention to reconnect with her in this new season of my life. It was with great sadness that I read of her passing. She had a gift of giving and loving her vast-sized family. My sympathy to each of you for you are missing a ‘legendary’ woman. May the Christ in her always remain a strong example of someone who pressed through the challenges she faced and glowed with His Spirit! Blessings and Shalom, Sylvia Reece

August 26, 2019

To the many many members of Ruth’s immediate and extended family, you have my condolences over her passing. Although I did not know Ruth well, on the couple of bus trips I took with her to NYC, I found her to be quite delightful, not to mention extremely organized. It wasn’t easy to heard a busload of 70 cats turned lose in the Big Apple, but she handled it with aplomb never losing a single cat.
I’ve always viewed a person’s life through the number of people they’ve “touched” along the journey. Ruth has definitely touched many lives, and will continue to do so through her children, grand children, great grand children, and many more generations to come.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Let Ruth live on through your memories of her. She now walks with the Lord, free from pain.
David Thornton

August 26, 2019

Dear Everyone – and the rest of the Family too,

It is truly with a heavy heart that I write and make some small attempt to express our deep sorrow and sincere condolences for you all on Ruth’s passing. It was just the other month that Ruth and I were able to greet each other so warmly at LOG. It was a blessing to see her at that time.

I know your lives have all been filling up with sadness recently, but our memories of Ruth and your “clan” are simply glorious and wonderful remembrances of lots and lots of good fun and adventures. We will remember them always and remember you all and Ruth with friendship and love.

Please allow me to share some Words of Comfort that have come to mean so much to me and Judy at times like these . . . . . . GOD in love has promised grace for every trial, strength for every sorrow, help for every mile, and may GOD in sympathy and unfailing love impart help for each tomorrow and new courage to your heart. … Cast your burdens upon the LORD, and GOD shall sustain you; The LORD shall never allow the righteous to be moved … Cast all your cares upon GOD, for the LORD GOD cares for you. (Psalm 55:22, 1st Peter 5:7)

I will conclude with a Word of Hope for you all . . . I pray that GOD, the basis of your hope, may so fill you with all joy and peace in believing – through the experience of your faith – that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT you may abound and be overflowing and bubbling over with hope. – Paul, to the Romans 15:13. That is our prayer and thought for you – from our hearts to yours.

In HIM and HIM alone, Judy and Fred (Holler)

August 26, 2019

Glad she is whole and rejoicing with her savior. The world will be darker without her joy in life and love for those around her. She will be missed.
Sarah M Barnes Stumbo

Visitation: Saturday, August 31, 2019; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM; Westminster Presbyterian Church; 2151 Oregon Pike; Lancaster, PA
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Services: Sunday, September 01, 2019; 4:00 PM; Westminster Presbyterian Church; 2151 Oregon Pike; Lancaster, PA
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