August 20, 2004 Palladium Item Richmond, Indiana WEST MANCHESTER, Ohio -- Ruth P. Fitzwater, age 87, of West Manchester, Ohio, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004, at Greenbriar Nursing Center, Eaton, Ohio. She was born Oct. 26, 1916, in St. Paris, Ohio, to the late John and Fannie (Courtright) Phelps. She was a retired music teacher from Sidney city schools and a graduate of Sabina High School and Wilmington College. She was a member of Wares Chapel United Methodist Church and Eastern Star Loyal Chapter, Sabina, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Frances Newcomer; and grandson, Jackson Fitzwater. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Paul E. Fitzwater, whom she married June 30, 1939; son and daughter-in-law, John and Dee Fitzwater, Charlotte, N.C.; daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Gary Parke, Kingwood, Texas, Julie and Eb Preuninger, Asheville, N.C., Jean and Harold Bussell, Columbus, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Andrew Parke, Brian Parke, Elizabeth Parke, Todd Preuninger, Lissa Turner, Jennifer Bussell, Jonathan Fitzwater; and one great-granddaughter, Rebecca Parke. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Wares Chapel United Methodist Church, 1060 Foos Road, West Manchester, Ohio, with Rev. Valerie J. Browne officiating. Burial will be in Wares Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at Girton-Schmidt-Boucher Funeral Home, 226 W. Main St., Eaton, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Wares Chapel United Methodist Church, 1060 Foos Road, West Manchester, OH 45382, or Wilmington College of Ohio (College of Music), 251 Ludovic St., Pyle Center Box 1313, Wilmington, OH 45177.