Ruth Margaret (Hertz) Wertz
7/27/1929 – 4/7/2023
Ruth Margaret Wertz, 93, of Mechanicsburg, PA died Friday evening, April 7 at Autumn House East assisted living facility in York, PA. Born in Lancaster, PA on July 27, 1929, Ruth was the firstborn of Henry Joseph Hertz and Elsie Ruth (Bushong) Hertz. Ruth outlived her younger siblings, Lillian Pauline (Hertz) Turner, Joseph Henry Hertz, Henry Joseph Hertz, Robert Jay Hertz and Jeffrey William Hertz.
She is survived by her son William Henry Wertz of Baltimore, MD, daughter Julia Kathryn Wertz of Lemoyne, PA and son Robert Eugene Wertz of Mechanicsburg, PA and wife, Beverly Ann, as well as grandchildren Emily Meagan Wertz, Chelsea Elizabeth (Wertz) Richardson and husband Nathan, Spencer Anthony VanGorder, Ella Sophia Sandness and Grayson Henry Wertz. Ruth also had two great grand-children, Luca and Alana Richardson.
Ruth also outlived her husband of 61 years, Eugene Theodore Wertz, by nearly ten years. Not long after Gene passed away in 2013 Ruth expressed that the best part of her life was in the rear-view mirror, that she was not afraid of death and is ready when God is ready. Soon dementia set in and steadily progressed, but never to the point that she lost her sense of humor or failed to recognize her own children.
Ruth attended Elizabethtown College where she received a degree in Medical Technology. She proceeded to work as a medical technologist at the State Hospital in Harrisburg. It was during this chapter of her life when, at a YMCA dance, she met the love of her life who was seven years her senior. In their very first conversation it became apparent that should things develop, her monogram would have to change. But “Hertz” and “Wertz” were interestingly and amusingly similar surnames!
Over seventy years later, upon hearing of her passing, a friend referred to Ruth and Gene as “an institution”. Always active at church, they filled their decades together building a legacy of service. It’s not an exaggeration to say hundreds of people experienced their hospitality, ate at their table, stayed in their home, some just overnight, others for a year or more.
Another part of Ruth’s enduring legacy is her love of music. She played piano and tirelessly chauffeured children and grandchildren to music lessons and concerts. She also accompanied worship at church and directed the choir. In addition, her hobbies included painting and gardening.
Ruth will be remembered as an elegant, classy lady who often wore a smile. She will also be remembered for her world-famous Caesar salad, her kindness and her wit. She thoroughly enjoyed visiting and sometimes traveling the globe with her siblings and their spouses. They all had a great sense of humor and enjoyed teasing each other. But Ruth often had the last word, especially after a glass of wine!
Ruth was buried next to Gene at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Together they await the return of their savior, Jesus Christ, and resurrection to eternal life!
A Celebration of Life service, officiated by Bruce Chesney, Pastor of Pleasant Hills Christian Church, will be held at Faith Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1801 Colonial Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112 on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Following the service a meal will be served.
Special thanks to Mario Billow, owner of Sullivan Funeral Home in Enola, for his outstanding service to the Wertz family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by mailing a check to Memorial White Rose Hospice at 224 St. Charles Way, Suite 100, York, PA 17402.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wertz family.
2 comments on “Ruth Margaret (Hertz) Wertz”
Ruth and her family were our neighbors. She was an angel in our lives, giving and gentle. Mychildren and hers were dear friends. May her journey be blessed . We will miss here but carry in our hearts. Patsy mchale
Sending my condolences. What a beautiful women. I remember meeting her and husband when I worked at the Hilton Part time. She will be missed.