Ruth M. Barclay October 19, 1921 – January 27, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Upload Photo| Sign Guestbook| View Guest Book Entries| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Ruth M. Barclay, 97, of Rockford passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019, in River Bluff Nursing Home. Ruth was born October 19, 1921, in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Williams) Hoyle. She has one sister, Evelyn.
She attended schools in Baltimore. Her earliest participation in a church service occurred in 1921, when she played the part of the baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant. At age two months, she was the youngest member of the congregation.
At age 17, Ruth eloped with Donald Specht. They had one daughter, Ruthie. Donald passed away when Ruthie was just 7 months old.
After Don’s death, Ruth and Ruthie lived with Don’s parents in Orchard Beach, Maryland. It was there that they met and fell in love with Samuel H. Barclay, a young Coast Guardsman stationed at Curtis Bay. They married on March 8, 1943, in Baltimore.
Their daughter, Cheryl, was born there, making them a family a four. After his discharge from the service, the family moved to Sam’s hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where their two sons, Alan and Bob, were born.
While in Michigan, they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1957, the Barclays moved to Loves Park, Illinois. Sam worked at Barber Colman as a machinist.
Ruth was advertising manager at Weise’s and House of Lindberg. She was president of Rosecrance Auxiliary, served on the Board of the Y.W.C.A. and also as an election judge.
Upon settling in Loves Park, the Barclays transferred their church membership to Bethany. Until his death in 1999, Ruth and Sam served Bethany together in a variety of roles: Youth Directors, Buccaneers/Mariners, Elders and Trustees. They were also involved in a theater group which did chancel plays throughout Northern Illinois.
Ruth has been a Sunday School teacher, Clerk of Session, President of Bethany Women’s Association, Circle Chairperson and Deacon. She served on many committees, including two PNCs, bringing Peder Carlson and Bob Kopp to Bethany. Mom treasured many memories traveling with dad to the four corners of the United States to visit their son, Alan, while he served in the U.S. Air Force, many vacations with Vera and Hal Barclay, camping and canoeing with Hal and Vera and Harley and Marilyn Beebe, square dancing with the Itchy Footers, to name a few.
She enjoyed playing cards, reading, writing poetry, working puzzles, family get-togethers, and of course, sharing time with her Bethany family. According to mom the happiest times in her life were the time spent with Sam, the birth of her 4 children, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and her service to Bethany. She credits her deep faith for sustaining her through the loss of her son Bob in 1986, and the unexpected loss of Sam in 1999.
Survivors include her children, Ruth Chandler, Cheryl (Dave) Eickman and Alan (Iris) Barclay; grandchildren, Mike (Robin) Chandler, Joni (Ernie) Bailey, Nikki Eickman, Rennee (Pat Reese) Eickman, Laurie (Rick) Curtis and Trudie (John) Davis; great-grandchildren, Gage Chandler, Kayla Chandler, Garrett Erickson, Hunter Molander, Brady Molander, Zak Curtis, Justin Curtis and Chance Davis; sister, Evelyn Barber; several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; first husband, Donald Specht; second husband, Samuel Barclay; son, Robert Barclay; son-in-law, Glen Chandler; half-brother, Weldon Hoyle; and half-sister, Virginia Hoyle. Family wishes to thank the staff and residents of Heritage Woods of Rockford for the outstanding care and friendship given mom during the last three years of her life.
Service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 5, in Bethany Church, 5403 North 2nd Street, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the church.
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