Ruth Jeanette Overdorf

Ruth Jeanette (Ritter) Overdorf, 81yrs old, passed away on September 15th, 2025, at her home surrounded by her children & family, in Summerfield, FL.

Ruth was born in Pottstown, PA to Earl Morris Ritter and Myrtle Elmyra (Miller) Ritter on December 5th, 1943. She was the oldest of 7 children, and had 6 brothers, David, Robert (Bobby), John (Johnny), James (Jimmy) (deceased), Timothy (Tim), and Thomas (Thom). She was a part of a quartet with her brother Tim, called The Christian Messengers, and was their pianist. She graduated from Daniel Boone Area Junior-Senior High School in 1961. She attended The People’s Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado and studied English (’61-’64), afterwards she realized that her desire to be a nurse at a young age had not dissipated and she decided to pursue a career in nursing. She attended Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1970 Class of Nightingale. She married Paul Overdorf on June 9th, 1973, in Pottstown, PA. In the early years of their marriage Ruth accompanied by her husband Paul, went on several Medical Ministry International trips to Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, and Liberia.

She worked for Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pottstown, PA. out of nursing school, before moving to Summerfield, Florida in 1984; where she worked for Monroe Regional Hospital (’85-’86) (now Advent), later moving to Leesburg Regional Hospital (86-’94), and moved to Hospice of Marion County in 1995 from where she retired in 2010.

She loved playing piano, the accordion and organ; she also loved sewing, making clothes for herself and her children, and crafting. When she turned 50 yrs old she found that she loved roller coasters and going to Disney and Busch Gardens, and she loved taking her grandchildren to the parks. Even in her later years she would continue to go to Disney and Busch Gardens and ride the roller coasters, she enjoyed her independence.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul & brother James.

Ruth is survived by her children, Samantha (daughter) & Kenneth Finley (son in law), Ryan Overdorf (son), Lisa Smyth (step -daughter); grandchildren – Kenneth Stewart, Keith Stewart, Faith Finley, & Chyanne Wagner, Courtney Osenbach, Robert Porter, Gabrielle Porter; great grandchildren – Trinity, Lucy, Isaiah, Zipporah, Ezra, Eli, Alex, and Hunter.

Memorial services TBA.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to God’s Missionary Church of Summerfield & Hospice of Marion County for their compassion.