Ruth Stakem

Ruth Jones Stakem, 93, of Frostburg and formerly of Lonaconing, died Thursday, November 22, 2018 at Frostburg Village Assisted Living. Born on December 29, 1924 in Lonaconing she was the daughter of the late William “Rell” Jones and Julia (Walters) Jones.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, whom she married on September 12, 1944, her husband Frank Patrick Stakem on April 1, 1995. She was also preceded in death by two sisters Eileen Jones Beeman and Juanita Jones Crimmins and four brothers William, Francis, Raymond and Leo Jones.

Ruth was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1942; where she was the editor of the newspaper and wrote many poems for the paper and her class reunions. She worked for the Celanese during WWII making parachute material for the war effort. From 1971 to 1991 she worked at Valley High School as a baker and cashier. She received an award for her baking and was best known for her cinnamon rolls and Christmas cookies.

She was a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Church from the time she was a child until she moved to Assisted Living at Frostburg Village in 2008. She was also a member of the September Singers and St. Mary’s choir. Ruth was well known for her singing voice; she sang at many weddings in town and would cover at the various churches when the choirs would take summers off. She would also sing with the band at the Lonaconing VFW.

She is survived by her children Francis “Greg” Stakem and wife Kathy Chaconas and Cindy Zumbrun and husband Francis; four grandchildren Jeffrey Zumbrun and wife Katie, Ryan Zumbrun and wife Emily, Hillary Stakem and husband Michael Levine and Hayley Stakem- Krivda and husband Charlie Krivda; two great-grandchildren Claire Zumbrun and Logan Zumbrun; two siblings Sandra Jones Fletcher and Robert Jones and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 26, 2018 from 6-8 PM at Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Midland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 10:00 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Cresaptown. Interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park, Cumberland.

The family would like to thank the facility and staff of Assisted Living at Frostburg Village, where Ruth lived for the last 10 years, for the excellent care they provided during her time. Thank you for seeing her as one of your own and becoming her second family.