Mary Ruth Kendall, age 84, of Pittsfield, IL passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.  She was born on May 4, 1936 in Quincy, IL to Harold and Maxine Grammer Murphy.  She married Caroll Kendall on April 15, 1955 in Detroit, IL and he survives.

Mary Ruth graduated from Pittsfield High School, Class of ’54.  She went on to work with Jim Miles at Miles Drug Store and worked as a clerk at Town and Country with Gene and Betty Hoover.  After Caroll opened Kendall Accounting Firm in 1968, she worked as his assistant until they both retired in 1999.  Mary Ruth was a member of the Pittsfield United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women where she was very active serving on various committees.  She helped with turkey dinners, funeral dinners, Color Drive, and many other things.  She was one of the founding members in setting up the Class of ’54 Scholarship fund and was still active in helping and working hard with the younger generations to make it a success.  Mary Ruth was an avid reader and belonged to a book club, as well as playing in different bridge clubs.  She was very social and enjoyed her Monday afternoon coffee visits at Free Press.  She was a dear and trusted friend and helped many other women in their time of need.  She was interested in Pike County History and genealogy and she greatly enjoyed the time she spent visiting with her daughters and grandchildren.  A strong foundation of Mary Ruth’s life was faith, family, and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Caroll Kendall; two daughters, Kim (Charlie) Hall of Danville, IL and Sara (Nate) Bartlow of Rushville, IL; five grandchildren, Rachel (Heath) Hanlin of Manlius, NY, Sarah (Chris) Harpst of Mahomet, IL, Daniel Hall of Chapel Hill, NC, Amy Thompson of Indianapolis, IN and William Thompson of Rushville, IL; three great grandchildren, Madeline Howes, Henry Howes, and Jesiah Hall-Harpst; special cousin, Robert Grammer of Texas; and nephew, Tom (Mary Jo) Kendall of Texas, and niece, Kathy (Larry) Lucy of Glen Carbon, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother in infancy, Edgar Murphy.

Due to Covid-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and cremation rites have been accorded.  Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield West Cemetery, Pittsfield United Methodist Church, and Class of ’54.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com.  Niebur Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Charitable donations may be made in Mary Ruth's memory to the following organizations: